• Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jul 5, 2005
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 35
  2. Negative: 2 out of 35

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  1. ShaniquaP
    Oct 8, 2005
    9
    I've never listened to this album, but I'd like to inflate the User-Review average because Missy knows how to keep it crunk. YO get yo freak on.
  2. LeonardoF
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    her style cannot be duplicated or recycled.
  3. SetulR
    Jul 12, 2005
    10
    The album is awesome, "Lose Control" is great and so is "My Struggles", one of the best Missy Elliott albums. A must for every music fan!
  4. MikeC
    Jul 28, 2005
    10
    Best I've heard her.
  5. LockneO
    Jul 20, 2005
    10
    Missy proves she doesn't need Timbaland to make an unbelievable record. "The Cookbook" has a perfect balance of party songs and ballads. Missy is definitely not afraid to tell what she wants, and she proves it with this amazing record!
  6. ScottM
    Jul 7, 2005
    7
    Timbaland's beats are missed but the album better than any other hip hop you're gonna get your ears to.
  7. MalcolmS
    Sep 1, 2005
    10
    This CD is Supa Dupa Fly Pt. II, No Jokes. At first i was mad b/c Missy didnt have her usual Timbaland Produced CD but, Missy survived without the help of her life-time partner, and does a great job at it too.
  8. NickD.
    Sep 2, 2005
    8
    Missy has her very own style, and you can either love it or hate it completely. If you're open to new concepts, you should be able to at least appreciate Missy's originality and slick party songs.
  9. megan
    Jul 11, 2005
    10
    shes back and better than ever!!
  10. ThomasN
    Jul 19, 2005
    9
    "We Run This" is my favorite track.
  11. NateS
    Jul 22, 2005
    10
    Missy is back on top and I'm lovin it. "This is Not A Test" was pretty great, but in retrospect it seems that perhaps the Timbo-Missy collaboration was starting to get a bit too comfortable. Mixing it up with new producers was just the kick that Missy needed to create this, her best album of recent times. The ballads pack a wallop, the sex talk is dirty as ever, and the club bangers Missy is back on top and I'm lovin it. "This is Not A Test" was pretty great, but in retrospect it seems that perhaps the Timbo-Missy collaboration was starting to get a bit too comfortable. Mixing it up with new producers was just the kick that Missy needed to create this, her best album of recent times. The ballads pack a wallop, the sex talk is dirty as ever, and the club bangers will get people out on the dance floor. Awesome. Expand
  12. mars88
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    despite a few cheest love songs, this is one grooby botty -movin' cd!!
  13. JewelMartini
    Jun 14, 2006
    8
    Missy is Missy, with or without Tim. She did her thing. I woulda nixed the wack slow jams though. Missy's strength is party hits.
  14. Cory
    Jul 12, 2005
    9
    The Cookbook is a compilation of rich recipes, varying from high-energy beats to good, old school R&B rhythms. The more noticeable tracks are: Lose Control, On and On (done remarkably by Pharell of the Neptunes), My Struggles, Mommy, Meltdown, and Can't Stop. The track by Timbaland that stood out the most is "Joy". Some of the tracks like "Partytime" and "4 My Man" (with Fantasia) The Cookbook is a compilation of rich recipes, varying from high-energy beats to good, old school R&B rhythms. The more noticeable tracks are: Lose Control, On and On (done remarkably by Pharell of the Neptunes), My Struggles, Mommy, Meltdown, and Can't Stop. The track by Timbaland that stood out the most is "Joy". Some of the tracks like "Partytime" and "4 My Man" (with Fantasia) lack the spice that the others do. The record doesn't succeed the ultimate "Miss E... So Addictive" but The Cookbook is near perfect with only a few flaws in the recipe. Expand
  15. alex
    Jul 14, 2005
    10
    At first glance this may seem a purely enjoyable party record. With a deeper listen though, this album turns out to be rich with creativity. Taking a lil break from Timbaland was a perfect idea.
  16. Aug 7, 2013
    7
    It is definitely enjoyable, all Missy Elliot is enjoyable, but some of these songs get on my nerves. But, great concept in the music and hip hop and rap fans will definitely enjoy.
  17. Nov 9, 2014
    10
    Një ferr i një LP lëkundëse për vitin 2005 , dhe qëndron fortë si një Hop definitive Hip album . Missy Elliot të vërtetë nuk e teproj me tekst të pacipë , mixes madhe nga timberland , dhe artistëve karakteristike shfaq duke filluar me Mike Jones dhe duke përfunduar në MPB
    10/10
  18. Oct 24, 2017
    7
    Esse álbum merecia Grammy de melhor álbum Rap, infelizmente só foi indicado. Último álbum da MIssy até hoje, esperando um sucessor. Volta missy vem salvar o rap
  19. Mar 1, 2016
    10
    Missy Elliot has built a career of making music that you cant enough of and can dance to. here even without Timbaland on all the tracks she still finds producers that can make the tracks enjoyable. another fine piece of work added to her wonderful discography.
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. The Cookbook is a convincing return to form.
  2. The New York Times
    80
    "The Cookbook" plays like a party mix tape. [4 Jul 2005]
  3. Like an untethered spouse suddenly separated from a longtime love, Elliott seems a bit lost somewhere between her intimidating past and her newfound independence.