Nothing like starting a song with some heavy panting to suggest it's pulsing with uncontainable sexual energy. Nothing like an extended (and nearly incomprehensible) guest verse from Mystikal to kill all the alluring tension. Such is the problem plaguing Joe's "Stutter," a song that, like so many from the era, splashed together a haphazard "urban" remix in an effort to Frankenstein a cross-genre hit. (See: Jennifer Lopez's numerous collaborations with Ja Rule.) In the case of this smooth R&B jam, the transition to skittering hip-hop track is actually an improvement, elevating the energy—and the drama—to exciting will they or won't they have angry make-up sex? levels. Then Mystikal shows up with his overly-aggressive delivery and steps into frightening crimes of passion territory. Is that really what got the ladies hot back in 2001? B-
11 years ago this week, "Stutter" was the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.
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