J. Holiday

If Bobby Valentino produces albums that are like lush gardens, then R&B singer J. Holiday's debut, Back of My Lac', is nearer to a rainforest dunked in glitter. Multiform sparkles seem to radiate out from his smooth croon, tickling the ears with lovely production details, like the combination of pianos, simple drums on the high side, muffled bass, and an occasional starry musical gesture—"Thug Commandments" seems to be made up of nothing more than twinkles.

His first hit, "Bed," gave hints of what was to come, mingling a beat that was gentle without being sappy, a chorus of Holidays (each with a very slight lisp) and a sexy but non-threatening vibe. "Fallin,'" the last song on the album, could have been a throwaway, but the undulating vocal lines pair unexpectedly well with saxophone to produce a marvelous hook that's topped only by a melodic and all-too-brief acoustic bridge.

If you bother to listen to the lyrics, you may find reasons not to like the record, such as too great a concern with getting high or Holiday's tendency to get freaky with his "sexy as" similes, without taking them to the level of baroque genius that is R. Kelly's. But if you leave lyrical analysis to the side, it's easy to close your eyes and let the shiny bubbles and warm tones work your tension out.

—Hillary Brown
10.30.07

You'd probably have to dump a bucket of ice on J. Holiday's head in order to see his eyelids open more than half way, at least going by the singer's photos and persistently slack delivery. He's always relaxed, even when he's decreeing the "Thug Commandments." It doesn't mean he's lacking passion. (He might even sound like Chris Brown if he wasn't high and/or intoxicated so frequently -- who knows?) Despite what it seems like on the surface, Holiday has the stoned but deep-feeling thing down pat, as indicated by "Bed," the gently rocking, unapologetically sleazy, and uniquely endearing single that became a number one R&B single just before the release of Back of My Lac'. Those who are hoping for the album to contain more of that sensitive thuggery delivered by a swaggering softie won't be let down, as most of the other songs revolve around seduction and heartache. Holiday also likes to sing about getting high and drunk, quite possibly far too much for those who don't indulge. While some of the come-ons are problematic as well -- he compliments a woman by comparing her body to that of a call girl -- there's enough sincere sweetness to lure a guarded heart. And it wouldn't hurt to have a thing for slight lisps. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide