Cassidy - Split Personality (CD)

All Music Guide

The decision to make the R. Kellyassisted "Hotel" the first single off Split Personality made it clear that Cassidy or, in reality, his handlers wanted to play up his chameleonic nature and freshfaced image as soon as possible. This was a gamble that landed him in the Top 10. A track as soft and smooth as Nick Cannon's "Gigolo" (also featuring Kelly), in addition to being thematically interchangeable with Chingy's more recent "Holidae In," "Hotel" did not seem to be an apt debut single for the MC who slayed Freeway in battle and tore up a couple verses on mentor/producer Swizz Beats' G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories. Nonetheless, the track's success diversified the anticipation for the debut album, though those amped for more of the hard material might've been turned off by the exposureswelling sop to the ladies. Cassidy's different approaches are even more pronounced as the album plays out. Divided into thirds, Split Personality begins with Cassidy's softer, more flirtatious side, and then slid...es into the harderhitting material for the latter 2/3rds. This setup is a convenience to listeners who want their Cassidy in a specific mode. The problem is that the MC is much more effective when donning his battletested side; as a result, the majority of that first third is filled out with moments that, on the average rap record, would fall by the wayside tracks like "Make U Scream" and the redundant "Hotel"alike "Get No Better" ("Mmm mmm mmm, with ya sexy self/Go to my hotel and undress yourself") typically show up when an album is winding down, not when it's supposed to be gathering steam. On the rest of the album, it doesn't seem like Cassidy's playing a role so much, and the quality level improves because of it. It shows how formidable he can be, even if he's not ready to rank with his toptier elders. As the first release from Swizz Beats' Jsupported Full Service, the album is a minor disappointment while simultaneously showing promise. - Andy Kellman , All Music Guide Read more Less