Kelis: Kelis Was Here

Herald rating: * * *

Well after the gimmicky genius of Milkshake, Kelis is still in the habit of writing inane, sexually-charged catchphrases to disguise the fact she's not much of a singer.

"I don't think so," she hollers repetitively in a mock-80s rap, a rare moment that doesn't turn her into a caricature of herself.

Although she no longer works with the Neptunes - preferring the studio touch of many, including Scott Storch, Swizz Beats and will.i.am - the sound is consistent with her rock-hip-hop-diva vibe. But Kelis is not about to let the boys wear the pants. Til the Wheels Fall Off suggests she's trying to be the female Prince. Elsewhere, the ego misfires. The Missy Elliott-style Ahhh Shit is almost as try-hard as the chopped-up opera on Living Proof, and the uninspired filler Weekend makes her sound as though she spends half of her weekends asleep.

Kelis is at her best on tracks where she shakes off her obnoxious alter-ego and channels her throaty voice into a rhythmically off-kilter rap, as with Circus, leaving the soulful chorus of Lil' Star to Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley). It's a patchy affair.

Verdict: Fourth album brings the boys back to the yard - and a few losers too

Label: EMI