This has issues from the first scene where a police officer gives Larry "a pass" for breaking a law after not having a fence around his pool. Then in the next scene there is some Trump hate that really comes from nowhere and does nothing to help the plot except for when Larry makes fun of it to the character's face in a later episode. We then see Larry trying to get another show up that forms the story arc for the season along with the non-pool fence. The subplot of once someone walking into a glass door they are no longer seen as a sexual being to their partner is fairly good. The other season 11 sub-story arc of Leon trying to find someone with the same name to go on a trip feels, again, less grounded than much of the series has felt. 3-2.5 out of 5.
A very weak episode by Curb's standards. Very predictable and seemingly more forced than the past. Dylan O'Brien's character is not from the real world. Cheryl only being there to mention Larry's towels... Why the hell would that come up in conversation between her and Susie? The arc of Larry trying to get a show up and it not working well with the executives has been down a couple of times throughout the series already as has Jeff needing Larry to help him with his cheating. The dentist not completing a job because of a request to turn down annoying music is another example of it feeling more forced. The ideas of Larry aren't as original or what they used to be. Up until the end of season 11, this is the worst episode of the entire series I think.
Continuing to be better than 'Angel Muffin', that was a low point of the series. Again, this suffers from not being as grounded as the better episodes though. The whole Pirate's Booty subplot and the Woody Harrelson cow subplot too seems a bit too farfetched. As someone visually challenged, the optometrist scene is very good and relatable and Leon not wanting to eat watermelon is a laugh too.
For a guy known as a one hit wonder, this album is surprisingly consistent. Don't ask me to recite the lyrics though. Some of the best moments for me are songs like 'Uhh in You' and '50 Ways' that feel a little more like standard hip hop than many of the songs. An enjoyable hour of dancehall but the high moments aren't good enough for a higher score and you could also say too many of the songs sound similar. Between a 3 and a 3.5 out of 5.
Best Tracks: Runway, Lonely Monday Morning, Hey Pretty Love, Informer, Uhh in You, 50 Ways
When I was in my early teens and really started getting into music more seriously, R. Kelly is one of the guys who got me into the R&B scene. And having heard all of his other albums since, I'd say this is the R. Kelly album which differs the most from the others as this album features few sexually inspired lyrics than his others. It's also two discs, one with gospel-inspired lyrics and music, and the other disc, 'Happy People', featuring laid back dancey R&B about love, dancing and having a good time. A lot of the 'Happy People' disc gives off the same sort of vibe that 'Step in the Name of Love' gave us from 'Chocolate Factory', so if you liked that track you should enjoy at least half of this album. Although some tracks particular on the 'U Saved Me' disc can be said to sound quite similar, I really enjoy the gospel/spiritual lyrics, and I think it's a great double-disc LP and up there with '12 Play' for his best and most consistent record.
Best Tracks:
Happy People Disc: Love Street, If, The Greatest Show on Earth, Steppin' Into Heaven, Happy People
U Saved Me Disc: U Saved Me, Prayer Changes, How Did You Manage, I Surrender, The Diary of Me, Leap of Faith