Ludacris: Theater Of The Mind

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.