Lucky Day

11/01/2002 10:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Dan Leroy

After finally achieving U.S. superstardom with his last album, Hotshot, pop-reggae phenom Shaggy appears to be working without a net on the follow-up. To wit: none of the big-name guest stars you'd expect, no major American producers, and a sound purged of the familiar samples and borrowings that made "Dance And Shout" and "Angel" massive crossover hits. Yet while the result is less immediate, Lucky Day proves Shaggy's optimism and charisma don't require market-tested hooks. Whether affecting his usual persona as the likeably lewd loveman on the title track and "Hookie Jookie," or earnestly celebrating independent women on "Full Control," his toasts and boasts have the staying power that the sketchy, dancehall-style melodies lack. And when he comes up with tunes as bright as his outlook, he's back to his Boombastic best: the flamenco strut of "Hey Sexy Lady," the romantic "These Are The Lips" and "Strength Of A Woman"--a straight-up soul salute to the ladies that's all but guaranteed to top the charts--show Shag can match just about anyone in the joyful noise department.