Record Reviews

R. Kelly

Album: “The Buffet”

Grade: B-

R. Kelly contends he wrote 462 songs for his 13th album of sex, sentimental soul and heavenly salvation. That seems an awful lot of stress for these 13 casual songs (18 on the deluxe version, and well worth the extra money).

It’s not that this album’s delightfully sonorous mix of torrid and tender isn’t equal to his best. He can do anything, whether it’s singing, composing, or producing (e.g., his work with the latter-day Isleys).

On the aptly titled “The Buffet,” there’s a relaxed song about barbecuing, “Backyard Party,” that, shockingly, isn’t a sexual metaphor (he saves the heavier-handed stuff for “Marching Band” and “Poetic Sex”).

There’s oddly passable blues and C&W on “Sufferin’” and “Barely Breathin’.” There’s even a touching love song for and with his daughter Ariiraye in “Wanna Be There.”

It’s not a lack of variety or even passion — portrayed in the trembling “Get Out of Here with Me.” The worry with “The Buffet” is that it all seems so easy for Kelly by this point that even the most sensual vocal run, stirring soul vibe, or angular hip-hop rhythm (as in “Switch Up”) is rote, devoid of density, fury and real ardor. “The Buffet” is great, but not challenging. And Kelly’s talents require challenge.

—A.D. Amorosi, Philadelphia Inquirer

Chris Brown

Album: “Royalty”

Grade: B

Chris Brown knows his strengths, and on his seventh studio album, “Royalty,” the singer plays to them with solid success. It’s a feat worth applauding, considering how disparate the multi-dimensional singer’s specialties seem to be.

There’s the electro-dance stuff: the contagiously upbeat “Fine By Me”; the mid-tempo and cool “Zero”; and the Tayla Parx-assisted “Anyway,” with its arena-filling waves of synth sounds.

There’s also the electronic-influenced “A Little More (Wake Me Up).” “You inspire me, gimme a reason to keep on,” Brown sings to his daughter, Royalty, who appears on the album cover, and inspired the release’s title as well.

It’s good, radio friendly pop music that seems as natural to Brown as traditional R&B fare, which he delivers with expertise on the old school-leaning “Make Love”; the sweet but slightly explicit “Back to Sleep”; and the steamy, Keith Sweat-inspired “Who’s Gonna (Nobody).”

Brown pushes the R&B envelope, too, linking with Dutch DJ-producer Afrojack for the very sexy “Discover,” with its trap-inspired production and slinky lyrics. And Brown gives typical R&B groveling a fresh spin on “Proof.”

—Melanie J. Sims, Associated Press