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The cover of Atlanta quartet 112's second album, "Room 112," shows the young R&B group dressed in black with seductive smirks on their faces - an obvious attempt to show the group's maturity. And despite some mediocre moments in the early going, the album ends up aging quite nicely.
Leading off with the slow snoozer, "Be With You," which comes up after two so-so intros, it looks as if one is in for a long night at "Room 112."
Luckily, the next song, "Love Me," with Mase, sort of comes to the rescue. Even with its whiny, crooning chorus of "love me, hold me, squeeze me ... hug me, kiss me, and love me," it does not sound too bad after a while.
The Lil' Kim assisted "The Only One" brings an infectious hook and a danceable, yet laid-back track that is instantly ear pleasing. Despite an off night for Kim, Q, Slim, Mike and Daron more than make up for it with their engaging harmonies.
Other efforts, such as "Anything," which brings bragging of the group members' sexual prowess, are easily disposable. "We can do it anywhere," they boast, but it really does not fit the rest of the album's more love and relationship-oriented material.
Immediately following it is "Love You Like I Did," which is also a throwaway track. The slow, pleading tale of trying to patch up a broken relationship is very average. "Stay With Me" follows the same agonizing formula.
The rest of "Room 112," however, mostly avoids these pratfalls. The slow, warm feeling of the instrumentals match the group's melodies almost perfectly.
"Crazy Over You," with the group harmonizing over live drums and a gentle piano, is successfully smooth. "Funny Feelings," despite the odd sounding title, features a relaxed, acoustic-type sound with a hook that is guaranteed to be remembered hours later.
Breaking up the slowness is "Never Mind" with its quirky sample from "8th Wonder" by Sugar Hill Gang. The song is a danceable, ready-for- radio number that grooves along with its upbeat soundscape.
And when the final notes of "Your Letter" slowly fade out,
it is clear "Room 112," can more than hold its own with 1990s
R&B.
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