For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I would like to revisit the year 2002 and express appreciation for TLC’s fourth studio album, titled “3D.” As many fans of the group know, a significant portion of the album was completed after the passing of member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. The album incorporates her unreleased material, which was initially intended for her solo projects “Supernova” and “N.I.N.A.,” reworked into new compositions.
The remaining members of the group, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, enlisted the expertise of prominent producers, including Dallas Austin, Babyface, Rodney Jerkins, the Neptunes, Raphael Saadiq, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland, for the album’s production process. The album’s first single, “Girl Talk,” was co-written by Left Eye, T-Boz, Anita McLoud, Edmund “Eddie Hustle” Clement, and Kandi Burruss, with production by Hustle.
Maintaining the vibrant essence of their previous work, “Girl Talk” captivates with an infectious hook that draws listeners in. The lyrics deliver a sharp warning to men. If they falter in their performance in the bedroom, the news will quickly circulate among women, creating a ripple effect throughout the community.
The next single, “Hands Up,” marked a reunion for the group with Babyface and Daryl Simmons. The song tells the story of a woman who goes to a club and sees her partner dancing with other women, behaving in a way that is entirely out of character for him. While none of the women claimed to be powerhouse vocalists, “Hands Up” successfully serves as a commentary on the experience of discovering a partner’s infidelity and the resulting feelings of betrayal and disappointment.
“Damaged” was the album’s final single, and the group worked with longtime collaborator Dallas Austin, who co-wrote the song with T-Boz. My favorite single from the album conveys the struggles of a woman who has been hurt in the past and now finds it hard to trust and love again.
The lyrics express the emotional trauma she has endured from past relationships, leaving her feeling damaged and insecure. She is afraid to open up to her current partner, fearing he might hurt her and cause further pain. However, the strength of the song lies in its relatable nature, addressing themes of expressing fears and insecurities while hoping to find acceptance and love from a partner, despite carrying emotional baggage
Although the album didn’t break out on the charts, it features plenty of standout tracks. “So So Dumb,” produced by Raphael Saadiq, remains in rotation and would have made a great single. “Quickie” is a throwback to their early days. However, I believe the album could have benefited from a huge ballad or a sensual slow jam. That said, the group may have been in a grieving process and opted to keep everything up-tempo.
“3D” was the final TLC album to feature all three members, and while it doesn’t reach the highs of their previous output, it serves as a great capstone to their career.
Final Grade: B
“3D” is available on all streaming platforms.
I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.
As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Paisley Park earlier this week while vacationing in Minnesota. During the tour, our guide shared that an expanded edition of Prince’s album “Parade” is expected to be released to celebrate its 40th anniversary. After spending the day exploring the Twin Cities, it felt like the perfect excuse to revisit one of the most fascinating and underrated albums in Prince’s legendary catalog.
One of the reasons I’ve always considered Prince to have the edge over Michael Jackson is his remarkable collection of ballads and