Bobby Valentino - Self Titled
By: Patrick Vu | Category: Album Archive | 05/14/05 | 04:04 PM
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 Grade: C+ |
Genre: R&B
Summary: Unfortunately, the album doesn't do much to break the mold of the R&B Mack Daddy. The beats are there (initially), but the lyrics are a bit trite and get old very quickly.
Since R. Kelly is busy dealing with the kids (in the Michael Jackson sort of way), the R&B world has been without a dominant soulful crooner who's all about the ladies. Copycats and wannabes have come and gone, but there still has yet to be a successor fit to handle Kelly's backstage perks.
Next in line for the job is newcomer, Bobby Valentino, who is the first act signed to Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace label. After endless reviews of alt rock albums, Valentino's Self-titled debut is a refreshing change of pace that unfortunately gets old very quickly. |
One of the biggest rules in the PIMP handbook is that your head must be the biggest in the room. Whether or not you can back it up, everyone should be aware of your presence and all eyes must be on you. Bobby Valentino definitely took notes, and makes a bold entrance with "Some Bobby," which is a seductive interlude that tells us how much we "really need some bobby." I don't know about that, but what I really want/need is to be given good reasons why I should expect as much.
Bobby Valentino quickly jumps to the album's first single, "Slow Down," which is by far the strongest track on the disc. The tribal beats and melodic grooves are a real head turner and currently fill the radio airwaves. It's a jam that all the kids will be grinding to at basement parties.
"My Angel (Never Leave)" is a potential hit that doesn't sound much different from anything else, but does succeed as a catchy serenade to yo' lady. It's a safe track that can appeal to a broad pop audience if given the chance.
Valentino shows his love for one of his greatest influences, New Edition, on "What You Know about me." I say this because it's too reminiscent of "Can You Stand the Rain" and anything else would be calling it a rip off, would it not?
One of my biggest pet peeves about many R&B groups is their need to include inane chatter that tries to seduce but instead makes you twitch with nervousness. Bobby Valentino is guilty of this with (thankfully) short interludes like "Mista Valentino" and "I'll Forgive You" which does their best to be Barry White, but does no better than Barry Manilo.
Unfortunately, the rest of the album doesn't do much to break the mold of the R&B Mack Daddy. The beats are there (initially), but the lyrics are a bit trite and get old very quickly. Bobby Valentino is a decent album for the moment and probably will rise up the charts, but I have serious questions about its longevity. It's no John Legend and doesn't introduce us to anything new.
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