Ranking the Best Carl Thomas Albums

At the turn of the century, R&B was in a pretty good place, yet there was always room for a new breakout star.

I think most of us would have bet the farm on Carl Thomas being next up. And for a brief, time, yes, he was one of R&B’s brightest stars, putting a new soulful spin on a genre that was veering more toward hip-hop.

Come back, Carl! Lord knows we need you today.

Carl’s glory days seemed all too brief so let’s celebrate the good times by revisiting his catalog, ranking it from bottom to top.

If you ask me, he still has so much more to give.

4. Conquer (2011)

Soul In Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: It’s crazy that it’s been over a decade since Carl’s last full-length release. Unfortunately, his last effort to date is QUITE the mixed bag. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: R&B veteran tries to find his place in the rapidly changing musical landscape of the early 2010s, forgoes his tried-and-true sound for experimental new directions, and things … don’t turn out so well. It’s a tale we know all too well. Conquer isn’t a total loss – while this is very different than the Carl Thomas we knew, the evolution does feel more natural in spots than others. Overall, whether it’s the multitude of producers or a lack of consistent vision, it’s just wildly inconsistent.

Forgotten favorites: “Round 2,” “Sweet Love,” “Don’t Kiss Me Remix”

3. Let’s Talk About it (2004)

Soul In Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: The struggles of Bad Boy’s mid-00s run are well documented and, like most releases during this era, this album could have been so much more. It’s nowhere near the level of its predecessor – obviously – but Carl’s sophomore album has its share of wins, mainly thanks to his always-impressive pen and rich vocals. The album’s quality dips on the last few tracks, dragging down the rating with it, but it’s still a solid effort during a tumultuous era for the once-mighty Bad Boy Records.

Forgotten favorites: “Anything,” “She Is,” “Let Me Know”

2. So Much Better (2007)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Good luck finding this one on streaming. Carl’s second album is pretty tough to trace these days – even YouTube fails to have this set all in one piece. But trust me, it’s worth tracking down. Carl and longtime cohort Mike City rekindle their magic with a solid collection of midtempo cuts and love jams. I’m still not the biggest fan of the singles and the album does suffer from some slight bloat but it’s the closest Carl has gotten back to his glory days.

Forgotten favorites: “Thought You Should Know,” “Late Night Rendevouz,” “Home”

1. Emotional (2000)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Carl Thomas dropped his debut during my college years and I distinctly remember one of my professors (who also was a singer/songwriter himself) being blown away by Carl’s songwriting abilities. Mainly because that level of writing, which often had a romantic, poetic tone, was becoming increasingly rare as hip-hop continued to seep into R&B’s consciousness. This album helped me fall in love with the art of superior songwriting. Emotional turned the clock back to an era where romance wasn’t a lost art, creating a soulful, grounded release that’s still cherished today. It’s not only Carl’s best work, it’s one of the best R&B albums of the 2000s. Truly the last of a dying breed.

Forgotten favorites: “Lady Lay Your Body,” “Cold, Cold World,” “Come to Me”

I’m guessing we can all agree with No. 1, but which other Carl Thomas albums are your faves? Let us know below.