record reviews

October 10, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

record reviews

LIL WAYNE

Album: “I Am Not a Human Being”

Grade: B

It’s not clear how Lil Wayne managed to record an album of new songs while serving an eight-month prison sentence that began last March. But as the title suggests, Wayne is not of this world. And as the material suggests, Wayne might be the only rapper living there, such are the depth and breadth displayed here. Designed as a stopgap before “Tha Carter IV,” his new one, “I Am Not a Human Being” (Universal Motown/Young Money/Cash Money), is a well-executed summary of everything Wayne has done before: schoolyard bragging (“Gonorrhea”), money/power metaphors (“Bill Gates”), twisted love songs (“With You”), attempts at solitude (“I’m Single”). Even his ill-advised fascination with rap-rock finds the right home on the Rick Rubin-flavored title track. Jay-Z’s confidence, Biggie’s rhymes, 2Pac’s pace — Wayne isn’t a human being. He’s the house that hip-hop built.

—Michael Pollock, Philadelphia Inquirer

TREY SONGZ

Album: “Passion, Pain & Pleasure”

Grade: B

With this fourth album from young R&B’s smoothest operator, Trey Songz has come into his own. “Passion, Pain & Pleasure” (Atlantic) debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 albums. Songz jumps on Usher’s tour in November. He’s got a fan club, Trey’s Angels, that adores him. What’s not to love about a sultry crooner making silly pop-hop such as “Bottoms Up” (with the ubiquitous Nicki Minaj), cattily chilly heartbreakers such as “Unfortunate,” and several brands of convincing, hushed emotional balladry? Like soul’s finessed classicists before him, Songz can wheedle and plead for the next step (”Please Return My Call”), romp in the bedroom (”Massage”), and show powerfully tender considerations when the affair has broken down (”Can’t Be Friends”). Songz shows off all those moods and convictions (all at once during the dramatic “Blind”) without overplaying his pimp hand or his vocal blessings. Dig it.

—A.D. Amorosi, Philadelphia Inquirer

THE ZAC BROWN BAND

Album: “You Get What You Give”

Grade: B

This is one hot group. The Zac Brown Band’s new album, already No. 1 on the Billboard chart, follows the double-platinum “The Foundation,” as well as a Grammy win for best new artist, an Academy of Country Music award for top new vocal group, and five nominations for November’s Country Music Association awards.

It’s also an improving group, as “You Get What You Give” (Atlantic) takes a few steps up from “The Foundation.” Working with one of Nashville’s best producers, Keith Stegall — which, no doubt, helped Brown get fellow Georgian Alan Jackson to guest on “As She’s Walking Away” — the road-tested sextet displays its crisp musicianship and clear harmonies in tight, well-structured songs. Only once on the 14-song album, with the 10-minute “Who Knows,” do Brown and company indulge their jam-band urges.

You’ll hear echoes of the Eagles and the Allman Brothers, and, of course, Jimmy Buffett, who guests on “Knee Deep.” The band, however, has a knack for making such comforting familiarity a virtue, and, like the generally sunny outlook, it’s part of the group’s appeal.

—Nick Cristiano, Philadelphia Inquirer

BRUNO MARS

Album: “Doo-Wops and Hooligans”

Grade: C-

Some musicians just need partners.

Ask John Oates. Or Kevin Jonas. Or She (though, Him does quite nicely alone).

Add Bruno Mars to that list.

Sure, he’s one of the year’s breakout stars for his work on the B.o.B. smash “Nothin’ on You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire,” as well as his own No. 1 “Just the Way You Are.” But his debut, “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” (Elektra), gets old real fast, as his super-sweet vocals quickly overpower these lightweight tunes.

In “Count on Me,” Mars attempts a Jason Mraz-ish “I’m Yours” acoustic ripoff, and he actually counts a lot. On “Marry You,” he tosses out such clunkers as, “It’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do, hey baby, I think I wanna marry you,” while attempting to bring some doo-wop style to his shiny pop.

When Mars teams with someone else, though, suddenly his vocals play a nice counterpoint to his collaborator. On “Liquor Store Blues,” Damian Marley provides a dramatic reggae backdrop, a killer rhyme and a whole lot of grunts, but that’s enough to help it stand up to repeated listenings.

The same happens on the more experimental “The Other Side,” with Cee Lo Green and B.o.B., who add the right balance.

Mars would be better off if “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” lived up to its name and added a bit of danger to its sweet safety.

Or he could bring in someone to help with that.

—Glenn Gamboa, Newsday

DAVID ARCHULETA

Album: “The Other Side of Down”

Grade: B-

On “The Other Side of Down” (19/Jive), David Archuleta sounds like a 19-year-old, concerned about finding himself, struggling and, occasionally, having a good time. The playful bits are the best — especially the dance-leaning single “Something ’Bout Love,” co-written with the great S*A*M and Sluggo, and the bouncy “Elevator” and “Parachutes and Airplanes.” He gets bogged down in too much midtempo earnestness at the end, especially the wide-eyed “Complain” and “Things Are Gonna Get Better.” But Archuleta, who co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs, at least sounds like himself now.

—Glenn Gamboa, Newsday