record reviews


Nicki Minaj

Album: “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded” (Cash Money/ Universal Republic)

Grade: B

Nicki Minaj is a bit schizophrenic. Or call her versatile. Either way, her success is unparalleled and stunning: She started on the scene as an oversexed female rapstress who stole the thunder from her male peers and anyone else who dared to share the spotlight with her. In just three years, she’s become arguably rap’s biggest name.

But she’s also proved she’s more than hip-hop; with the success of “Super Bass” from her 2010 debut “Pink Friday,” she’s also become a hit pop singer. Her sophomore album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” showcases both sides of Minaj, and may get her steps closer to world domination.

Songs such as “Automatic,” ‘’Whip It” and “Pound the Alarm” — all produced by RedOne — are catchy pop tunes that can go toe-to-toe with any recent hit from Britney Spears, Katy Perry or Ke$ha. They follow the similar formula for most songs on Top 40 radio, with a European-flavored beat and party vibe. “Starships,” another RedOne effort, is a huge hit on the charts and is Minaj’s best solo standing outside of “Super Bass.”

Still, Minaj isn’t the world’s greatest singer: When she croons, there always seems to be a hint of Auto-Tune, which is unfortunate. She’s best on “Right By My Side,” an R&B duet with Chris Brown that was co-written by Ester Dean.

The first half of “Roman Reloaded” — which showcases Minaj as her male alter ego Roman — focuses on the entertainer’s rap side, featuring her boasting, boasting and boasting some more. While there’s no denying she’s got it going on, cockiness can be a flaw, and it’s that here. It was part of the problem with her first album.

When less-focused with her standing in the rap world, Minaj is top-notch: “Champion,” with Nas, Drake and Young Jeezy, is great; “Marilyn Monroe” is touching, and the Beenie Man-assisted “Gun Shot” is enjoyable.

For all her phenomenal success, Minaj, on the verge of 30, seems to be a talent that is trying to find her way. She can rap, sing (so-so) and she’s got stamina like the Energizer Bunny, yet those facets don’t always mesh together smoothly.

Can’t wait to hear what she finally comes up with.

—Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press

Rascal Flatts

Album: “Changed” (Big Machine)

Grade: A

On their new album, “Changed,” Rascal Flatts shows how they’ve matured since the trio’s first hits 12 years ago. Once derided as country music’s answer to pop boy bands, they’ve endured professionally by consistently scoring radio hits and selling out arenas. With “Changed,” Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney sound wiser and more grounded, balancing grown-up, light country-rockers with ballads grounded in real life.

The title song strips the band’s sound down to an earthier core, displaying how rich their harmonies have become. Moreover, lead singer LeVox performs with more subtlety, focusing on expressing emotions rather than showing off ostentatious vocal pyrotechnics.

“Banjo,” the album’s first hit, illustrates how Rascal Flatts’ sound has evolved; it has more in common with a contemporary country rocker like Jason Aldean than with anything Rascal Flatts previously has done.

In the last couple of years, the guys in Rascal Flatts have completely made over the business side of their careers, switching to a different record label, management company and more. “Changed” proves they have moved forward in the most important of ways — with their music. (A “deluxe” version of the album includes four bonus tracks).

— Michael McCall, Associated Press

Marvin Sapp

Album: “I Win” (Verity/Zomba)

Grade: A

Marvin Sapp’s world was rocked when his wife, MaLinda, died from colon cancer in 2010. Along with his personal life, the gospel singer also had to transition musically without his wife, who managed his career and encouraged him to release “Never Would Have Made It,” the 2007 song that would become his biggest hit.

But in his wife’s absence, Sapp says his three children helped him select material for his ninth album, “I Win,” which is filled with high- energy tracks and uplifting messages on how to endure life’s obstacles.

Sapp recorded the 10-song album live at a show in Upper Marlboro, Md. It’s led by the first single, “My Testimony,” a midtempo song where he sings the inspirational words, “I got some scars, but I’m still alive/In spite of calamity/He still has a plan for me/And it’s working for my good/And it’s building my testimony.”

Sapp’s soaring voice is accompanied by a choir on “Glory,” a piano-driven track that starts off with a slow pace then comes to an adrenaline-pumping end. Much like this song, the singer — who is a pastor at Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. — often takes a moment to inject a thought-provoking message.

On “The Hymns Medley,” Sapp calmly sings with only a pipe organ backing him up, while sprinkles of cheers and claps are heard throughout the song. He pours out his heart on the album’s title track, claiming at the end, “I ain’t no chump. I’m a winner.”

There are many other enjoyable songs such as “Deeper” and “I Belong To You,” proving that Sapp has delivered another victorious album with “I Win.”

—Jonathan Landrum, Associated Press

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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