Despite a successful and lucrative career, Ruben Studdard, the 2003 winner of the "American Idol" singing competition, has yet to release a 5-star R&B album, despite seemingly having more talent than many contemporary R&B singers. But despite his talent, the title of his newest release, The Return, is indicative of the album itself - in other words, it's unimaginative and a little boring.
A "Return" to the Bland
Out of all the "American Idol" winners, Season 2 champion Ruben Studdard may by the one who's most failed to live up to his potential.
At the time of his victory on the show, Ruben seemed to be one of the most talented contestants ever, with his golden voice and hefty frame evoking memories of a young Luther Vandross (coincidentally, Vandross had a stroke a month before Studdard was crowned American Idol).
And Ruben's gone on to achieve major success as an artist, selling over a million records of his 2003 debut album, Soulful and half a million of his second LP, 2004's Gospel release I Need An Angel.
But despite his success, to many R&B fans something's always seemed missing with Ruben. Not only has he not lived up to his potential as a Luther Vandross successor, he has yet to deliver the classic R&B album many were expecting. And The Return is no exception.
The album's filled with plush, pop-ish mid-tempo R&B melodies that seem geared toward pleasing a wide audience and gaining as mainstream acceptance as possible.
The biggest flaw with the album is how Ruben's vocals are so watered down. His powerful voice has no potency much of the time and almost sounds as generic as the vocals that accompany elevator music.
At the time of his victory on the show, Ruben seemed to be one of the most talented contestants ever, with his golden voice and hefty frame evoking memories of a young Luther Vandross (coincidentally, Vandross had a stroke a month before Studdard was crowned American Idol).
And Ruben's gone on to achieve major success as an artist, selling over a million records of his 2003 debut album, Soulful and half a million of his second LP, 2004's Gospel release I Need An Angel.
But despite his success, to many R&B fans something's always seemed missing with Ruben. Not only has he not lived up to his potential as a Luther Vandross successor, he has yet to deliver the classic R&B album many were expecting. And The Return is no exception.
The album's filled with plush, pop-ish mid-tempo R&B melodies that seem geared toward pleasing a wide audience and gaining as mainstream acceptance as possible.
The biggest flaw with the album is how Ruben's vocals are so watered down. His powerful voice has no potency much of the time and almost sounds as generic as the vocals that accompany elevator music.
Run-of-the-Mill
If there's one word to adequately describe The Return, dull is it. The opening track, "The Return (of the Velvet Teddy Bear)," exemplifies this fact with it's dumbed-down lyrics, simplistic chorus and cheap-sounding computerized beat.
Things do get better on subsequent tracks, but not significantly. The album's next song (and first single) is the Underdogs-produced "Change Me," is one of the few tracks with very good lyrics, but is run-of-the-mill. And the song after that, "Beautiful," is a solid ballad, but lyrically generic.
What's funny is that although the album's clearly aimed at an audience of older, mainstream music (i.e. pop) fans, many the album's songs have hip-hop titles, like 'Get U Loose," "To Da Crib" and "Blow Ya Mind."
Don't be fooled by the titles, though - almost all the album's 14 songs are sugary, mid-tempo Quiet Storm-type numbers that are good mainly as late-night mood-setting music.
The album's highlight is Ruben's cover of Luther Vandross' "If Only For One Night." It's on this one song that Ruben reminds everybody why he won "American Idol" in the first place.
His flawless rendition of the song is the only track on the album that matches up favorably with Luther's own music.
Things do get better on subsequent tracks, but not significantly. The album's next song (and first single) is the Underdogs-produced "Change Me," is one of the few tracks with very good lyrics, but is run-of-the-mill. And the song after that, "Beautiful," is a solid ballad, but lyrically generic.
What's funny is that although the album's clearly aimed at an audience of older, mainstream music (i.e. pop) fans, many the album's songs have hip-hop titles, like 'Get U Loose," "To Da Crib" and "Blow Ya Mind."
Don't be fooled by the titles, though - almost all the album's 14 songs are sugary, mid-tempo Quiet Storm-type numbers that are good mainly as late-night mood-setting music.
The album's highlight is Ruben's cover of Luther Vandross' "If Only For One Night." It's on this one song that Ruben reminds everybody why he won "American Idol" in the first place.
His flawless rendition of the song is the only track on the album that matches up favorably with Luther's own music.
