I have to keep my ears busy while I wait for my Kings of Leon album to arrive. So I'm checking out a few things I should have been listening to for some time. Today I'm joining the hip-hop crowd once again, with Missy Elliott's This Is Not A Test sitting in my playlist. It was released a couple of weeks ago and I don't think I've read a single review that hasn't been incredibly positive. Then again, it would be surprising if Elliott put out a bad record.

This Is Not A Test assembles some nice celebs, like Mary J., Jay-Z, Nelly, and R. Kelly. In my warped mind, Elliott is the hip-hop version of rock's Stephen Malkmus. She's to the point, has a strange musical point of view and her music is unique and BS-less.

Every track includes an incredible amount of attention to detail and everything fits together so well... Ah, it's difficult to listen to anything else in this genre after sitting down to Elliott's music. I did listen to the new double-cd Outkast release, which would make an interesting comparison to This Is Not A Test. But no, not even the totally wacky Speakerboxx/The Love Below is as cool or well implemented as this.

Elliott's track featuring R. Kelly, "Dats What I'm Talking About," is odd yet smooth. "Don't Be Cruel," featuring Monica and Beenie Man, shifts into a nice Bhangra segment about half way through. With so many Hip Hop acts turning to desi-beats, it's nice to see Elliott doing it her way.

Today I'm going to disagree with cholly and risk being fired. Elliott's album is a keeper, but I prefer the wackier Outkast album, especially the Love Below side of things. Lots of insanity. Back to Elliott... Of course, we have to give Timbaland some credit for doing his thing again. They sure make a good team...