Keyshia Cole

The distance (and difference) between R&B singer Keyshia Cole's first album, The Way It Is, and her second one, Just Like You, is plainly evident in the tenor of their titles: On her explosive debut, she stated fact from on high, an avenging goddess for lovelorn women, while on this new record, she wants to convince you she's the girl next door, and the songs suffer for it. Cole's voice remains a challenge to reigning queen Mary J. Blige, a blare of sound from the bottom of the stomach that roughens as it increases in volume—but when she's less angry the full range of it isn't present.

The smoother, less aggressive tone of this album suggests that maybe Cole has vented enough—but we beg to differ. It's hard to find flaw with tracks like "I Remember," a slow, gentle track constructed with strings and guitar arpeggios, but it does take its sweet time getting to the point and sounds rather like a lot of other girl-power R&B. "Heaven Sent," meanwhile, is a dose of heartfelt syrup that could play over the credits of a modern-day Horatio Alger movie.

Even the club songs—like the Diddy-co-produced "Last Night" and the Michael Jackson-esque synth-fueled "Let It Go" with Missy Elliott and Lil Kim—feel a bit drained of Cole's former fire, despite their undeniable catchiness. "Give Me More" is an exception to the rule, with bold production by Scott Storch that gives Cole something to play off, and "Fallin' Out," while slower in tempo, lets her show off her range admirably. Even muted, Cole's voice can sell the ups and downs of emotion, but she's better off when she tells it (loudly) like it is.

—Hillary Brown
09.28.07

Keyshia Cole's ascent was prepared with an appearance on the Barbershop 2 soundtrack and a mixtape presented by DJ Green Lantern, yet 2005's The Way It Is wasn't exactly hotly anticipated. On the strength of two Top Ten R&B singles, the album eventually went platinum, several months after release, slowly transforming her into one of R&B's biggest stars -- one often mentioned on a first-name basis, and one with several comparisons to Mary J. Blige. Cole's second album will only prompt more of those comparisons, nearly to the extent that it might seem like its purpose. In addition to becoming Blige's labelmate at Geffen, Cole prefaced the album's release with performances that included her takes on "I'm Going Down" and "Sweet Thing" -- two songs memorably updated by a young Blige -- which could be construed as insolence, reverence, or a combination of the two. In some ways, Just Like You plays out like an album that could've only been made after Blige's Breakthrough. The common collaborators include Rodney Jerkins, Ron Fair, and Bryan-Michael Cox, two of whom had nothing to do with The Way It Is. "Got to Get My Heart Back" could have been written to one-up The Breakthrough's "Enough Cryin"; these two Jerkins productions are somewhat similar in makeup, though the former's sting is a little more bittersweet while also hitting just a little bit harder. "Got to Get My Heart Back" would sound natural flowing out of The Breakthrough's "Take Me as I Am," not just sonically but as the next natural development in a busted relationship -- from putting a foot down to making a recovery. Both tracks are Ron Fair productions. Songs co-written and produced by others, like "Fallin' Out" and "Give Me More," would also be easy fits on The Breakthrough, balancing desperation with conviction and mixing lush arrangements with penetrative melodies. Add a wicked Missy Elliott-produced throwback to Bad Boy's golden era, a repeat appearance of Cole's album-stealing feature from Diddy's Press Play -- which, coincidentally, also contains a Blige feature -- and a photo spread that looks very Blige-like, and you might wonder whether or not Cole is pulling a Single Black Female. (Just Like You? Just like who, exactly?) Despite all this weirdness, this stands as a very good album by Keyshia Cole, also the point where Cole's voice grows from an occasionally powerful emotive device into a versatile instrument. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide