Rating: NN
The most shocking thing about Shock Value, Timbaland’s second solo offering, is that it’s not better. But after a vigorous year of Billboard-busting pop productions (each including his profile-raising sung cameos) for everyone from Justin to Nelly, the inimitable producer’s first album to be anticipated on a mainstream level finds him and his A-list of guests overshooting themselves. The Hives collabo Throw It On Me should cause a universal cringe, the lyrically challenged Timbaland sounds ridiculous trying to posture like a G alongside 50 Cent and Tony Yayo on Come & Get Me, and Elton John’s ivory-tinkling in 2 Man Show goes nowhere while the producer ad libs aimlessly over top: “Yeah… it’s me and Elton John….” There are a few bangers (Bounce, featuring Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott, and Justin), but most of Shock Value confirms that Timbaland is most valuable when he’s in the background.
