112 - Hot & Wet

Our price:	$13.98
Media:	Audio CD
Record label:	Def Jam
Release date:	18 November, 2003

Average user rating: Average user rating: 3.5

Sigh of Relief

No need to cry, 112 can still satisfy. If, like me, you tried to form an idea about this cd based on the lead single, I assure you 112 still can deliver that sound reminiscent of the sophomore LP released 5 years ago. There is no denying that the debut was untouchable and "Part III" was beyond amazing, but the group has delivered a signature sound that only they could pull off amidst the recent "music" invading the airwaves.

This 4th effort offers a variety for all R&B listeners. If you prefer soulful ballads sung with profound emotions of love (or lost love) then you MUST hear "Right Here For You", "You Said" and "Slip Away". Together these three songs carry the album so well that they make the other tracks sound even better. Then there's "All My Love", which is perfect for the lovers trying to get in the mood. "Say Yes" is persuasion at its best to get the one you desire take a chance on romance. On another note, "Everyday" was the group's chance to speak out and let the haters know how it's really going down behind the scenes in their lives. The closing song recalls James Brown's explanation of gender roles and tells us it's "A Man's World" even in 2003. Just like the Godfather's masterpiece, this original song is powerful and deserving of attention.

If you're into the bass thumping, ass shaking club sound, you haven't been left behind. Being the 112 fan I am, I will keep it real. "Na Na Na Na" and "Unbelievable" just don't do it for me. However, "Hot and Wet" remix, "It's Goin' Down 2Nite" and "Give it to Me" are fun (of course, except a line in #3 "Hey yo, shake that thang just like it's Jell-O" but this is what people like to hear). I would not have made "Hot and Wet" a single, but if it were up to me, people would appreciate them for the talented R&B singers they have been since 1996- wishful thinking.

Overall, it's not quite the same as past efforts, but I am still happy with my purchase. I was worried having heard those two singles followed by quite a lackluster performance in Atlanta last month. Yes, I thought I lost them. I was wrong! They're still here and they're still making hits like no one else can.

this album is banging!

112 is the group! they had me worried there for a minute because I wasn't feeling part III all that much and their first single NA NA NA wasn't hitting it for me at first, but after listening to the whole cd, i was pleasantly surprised! i haven't really taken it out of my cd player since buying it. i can listen to ALMOST this whole album w/out skipping songs and for me that means a lot especially if I'm spending $13/14 for an album. My favorite songs on the album are:
1. It's going down
2. Unbelievable
3. Everyday (why are they clowning?)
4. Right here for you (best song on the album, hands down)
5. Knock u down (not feeling the terminology, but the song's harmony is tight)
6. Na Na Na (it grew on me)
7. Slip Away (i feel what Daron is saying on that song; 2nd best song on album)
8. Say Yes ( 3rd best song)

Overall this is a more consistent effort from 112, my boys didn't let me down on this one. all the TRUE 112 fans feel me. You got to get this if you don't have it already!

2-1/2 stars -- Cold and wack

When I first heard the title track off this album, I heard P. Diddy say it was a Bad Boy collabo, and I said, "What?" Apparently Hot & Wet, the fourth album from 112, is a split release between Bad Boy and Def Soul. But my feelings about this album aren't split at all -- it really isn't that good.

If you heard their last album, you should know that the guys did their best singing during the interludes. Sadly, that's also the case here (see "I Belong to U" -- although Daron should stop trying so hard to hit those high notes). There ARE times when the regular songs work, like on "Right Here For U" (although Slim's adlibs at the end almost ruined the song) and "Slip Away", even though those aren't the greatest lyrics (well, the second verse, anyway). And Daron and Q do a great job singing on "Man's World", but you have to admit that the song is pretty lame.

There are a lot of filler tracks on this album, too. Songs like "Give It To Me", "Say Yes" and "You Said" aren't the strongest efforts I've ever heard. And it doesn't help that most of the songs are about the same thing: sex. There's also the spoken word song, "Everyday", which sounds like a lash-out to P. Diddy, and it doesn't help or hurt the album.

Another problem with the album is the guest stars they bring aboard to already questionable songs. Ludacris does drop a nice verse on the otherwise average title track, but the rest of the performances leave something to be desired, like "It's Goin' Down 2Nite" with T.I. and the remix of "Hot & Wet" with Chingy being wack as usual. And the lazy "Na Na Na Na" features a rap by Supercat, of all people (no, that's NOT Sean Paul in that song).

I'm wondering if it's even possible for 112 to make a listenable album. I mean, come on, this is their fourth chance already, and things are still going downhill. (maybe that's why they're still opening for people?). If they don't start using their skills right, then people might just refer to them as a watered-down Boyz II Men.

Anthony Rupert