Mims
Guilt (Capitol)
Mims wants badly not to be known as a one-hit-wonder. “This Is Why I’m Hot,” his debut single from 2007, rocketed to number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. It’s simple dial tone synth melody allowed Mims to sample from several different, distinct regional anthems—among them “Jesus Walks”, “Nuthin’ But A G Thang” and “Shook Ones Part II”—and cobble together a post-modern chart-topper. His album, Music Is My Savior (Capitol) was not nearly as successful. His pop strides left him awkwardly without an identity. On his second album, Guilt (Capitol), Mims tries to redeem himself. And maybe show some personality.
Guilt opens with the title track, a soliloquy that explains his quagmire: How to improve lyrically without sacrificing his pop audience. After this seemingly sincere admission, Mims gets earnest on three high caliber slugs. “On And On,” a return to his battle with commercialism, is swaddled in warm and bright church organs and school bells. This vulnerability is retooled and transitioned into the flirtatious “Love Rollercoster” and then again into the radio ready “Move (If You Wanna).” The depth that Mims seems to be looking for isn’t present, but at least the album’s first third is cohesive. Then Guilt downshifts into the damn near unforgivable.
“Rock ‘N Rollin’” featuring Tech N9ne is riddled with band name puns and trite metaphors—the name drops sound as though they were picked at random for rhymes’ sake. “Be My Hustler,” recalls Jay-Z’s “I Know,” and makes it apparent that Mims has done his homework, but does little to re-interpret the metaphor of addiction. And “I Do,” an apologetic hymn, is directed at a girl he wronged, resurrecting the idea that Mims is sorry for essentially everything he’s ever done.
Mims does build credibility in places. “Chasing Sunshine,” “Makin' Money,” and” I Do” strain to be appealing and illustrate some creative wordplay, but Mims never commits fully. Too often these songs either sound recycled or just uninspired. And if Mims doesn’t find himself—we still have no idea who this guy is—he won’t walk much further in the music world.
The Track Listing for Guilt
1. "Guilt"
2. "The Skit"
3. "On & On"
4. "Love Rollercoaster" feat. LeToya Luckett
5. "Move (If You Wanna)"
6. "One Day" feat. Ky-Mani Marley
7. "Chasing Sunshine” feat. KVN
8. "Rock 'n Rollin'" feat. Tech N9ne
9. "Be My Hustla feat. J. Holiday
10. "Makin' Money"
11. "In My Life (Why Oh Why)"
12. "One Last Kiss" feat. Soler Mesh
13. "Heal Me (Outro)" feat. Soler Mesh
14. "I Do" feat. Nice & Smooth
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