Ludacris' Theater Of The Mind will both benefit and suffer from comparisons to
Kanye West's 808s And Heartbreak, which
was released the same week by the same label. Where Heartbreak boldly challenged listeners, Mind gives Ludacris fans exactly what they want and
expect, leading to an album that's more immediately accessible, but ultimately
less resonant. Familiarity breeds contempt, and a distinct air of "been there,
done that" hangs over Mind. The
obligatory T-Pain-assisted single "One More Drink" offers an ode to the
judgment-impairing powers of beer goggles, while "Call Up The Homies" finds
Ludacris reaching out to out-of-state pals in his quest to hook up with hos in
different area codes. Both are fun pop songs, but they're also the kind of glib
mirth-makers the rapper could probably churn out in his sleep.
Though clever and consistent, Ludacris' colorful lyrics
and wildly expressive delivery lack the laugh-out-loud, abuse-the-rewind-button
hilarity of his best guest verses; it's his misfortune to contribute his
meanest 16 bars to other rappers' albums. Nevertheless, Mind is never less than good. The Jay-Z/Nas collaboration "I
Do It For Hip Hop" and "Wish You Would"—Luda's long-awaited teaming with
former enemy T.I.—meet but don't exceed expectations, while the DJ
Premier-produced "MVP" is a little underwhelming. A Heartbreak-like act of radical reinvention might be just what
this flamboyant entertainer needs. Even steak can get boring if eaten too many
nights in a row.