Under Construction

11/27/2002 6:00 PM, LAUNCH
Dan Leroy

As recently as last summer, no one in urban music could match Missy and her right-hand man Timbaland in the stunners-per-album department. But after a solid year of hearing Tim's futuristic funk (as well as similarly inspired productions by the Neptunes) propping up everyone from hardcore gangstas to teen pop idols, some of the bloom is off the rose.

There are moments on Elliott's fourth outing that will still snap ears to attention--the crisp, old-school sampling single "Work It" is one--but unfortunately, as good overall as the tracks here are, that bit about familiarity breeding contempt rings true. Which leaves it to the rapping, crooning Misdemeanor and her guests to carry the day, a feat managed handily. Trying to goad a lovesick Beyonce Knowles to the club on "Nothing Out There For Me," reminiscing about the days of "British Knights and gold chains" with a typically razor-sharp Jay-Z, or just getting nasty as usual with old pals Method Man and Ludacris, Missy's endearing brashness and bravado is the foundation that keeps Under Construction from coming down.