How I Do : Res : Review : Rolling Stone

Res is a soul-power chick from Philly whose debut album, How I Do, sounds more like peak Seventies Pretenders than anyone in black music history. Like Chrissie Hynde, Res' voice is more unique and emotionally direct than big and operatic, a perfect fit for the rock-soul sounds behind her. The lyrics, written largely by singer-songwriter Santi White, are diarylike poetry about being yourself, being strong and being in love - "What's your soul taste like, baby?" she coos on the dreamy, reggae-ish "700 Mile Situation."

There's not a single ballad on How I Do - Res is simply too strong for that; she prefers grooving to fawning. On the plaintive but upbeat "If There Ain't Nothing," she knows her guy has lost interest and says, "If there ain't nothin' that we can do, it's cool/I'd rather be alone and onto something new." On the smooth "Golden Boys" she sees through the famous guys she's dated: "Would they love you if they knew all the things that we know?/Golden Boy, life ain't a video." How I Do does that rare thing: It provides an original direction. It's an album born from multicultural influences for those who don't let the trends dictate what they wear and don't let MTV decide what they listen to.

TOURE
(RS 876 - August 30, 2001)