Bruno Mars hops genres on sexy 2nd CD

Bruno Mars
``Unorthodox Jukebox‘’
(Atlantic Records)

Bruno Mars likes to mix it up. Almost every song on his second album dabbles in a different genre

The 27-year-old singer-songwriter-producer shows growing sophistication, musically and lyrically, on ``Unorthodox Jukebox,‘’ a retro-pop collection of 10 tracks with elements of rock, funk, country and reggae. There‘s even a heartbreaking piano ballad.

Mars hinted at his versatility on his 2010 debut, ``Doo-Wops & Hooligans,’‘ a set of love songs that yielded the hit singles ``Grenade’‘ and ``Just the Way You Are,’‘ which won a Grammy Award.

He draws from a broader range of musical influences here, recalling Michael Jackson, Parliament and even The Police. And there’s still love, but also lots of sex.

He channels Prince on ``Gorilla,‘’ all prowess and desire. ``You got your legs up in the sky,‘’ Mars sings. ``You know what I like. You‘re a dirty little lover.’‘

He proclaims ``your sex takes me to paradise’‘ on the `80s-tinged single ``Locked Out of Heaven.’‘ And on the island-style reggae tune ``Show Me,’‘ he urges his lover: ``You say you’re a woman who knows what she likes, then show me.‘’

But a man cannot live on sex alone.

The heartfelt ``If I Knew‘’ is reminiscent of a gently country ``Teen Angel,‘’ and Mars is at his best on the bare piano ballad ``When I Was Your Man.‘’

``My pride, my ego, my needs and my selfish ways caused a good, strong woman like you to walk out my life,‘’ he sings, full of regret. ``No I‘ll never get to clean up the mess I made and it haunts me every time I close my eyes.’‘

The funky ``Treasure’‘ is the grooviest tune on the album.

(AP)


The Game comes strong with ’Jesus Piece

The Game
``Jesus Piece‘’
(Interscope Records)

The Game returns with a heavy dose of guest appearances on his fifth offering, including Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx and 2 Chainz. But like his last album, ``The R.E.D. Album,‘’ he isn‘t outshined by any of the features on ``Jesus Piece.’‘

With his hoarse delivery, Game’s words are full of bravado, his topics are concise and his rhymes are easy to digest on these well-produced tracks. That‘s certainly evident on ``Pray,’‘ featuring J. Cole and JMSN, where the Game tells a compelling story about being a ``guardian angel’‘ for a woman struggling with drug abuse.

On ``Can’t Get Right,‘’ featuring K. Roosevelt, Game is in confession mode. He raps about his struggles to avoid the fast life and envisions through a nightmare that his mentor, Dr. Dre, was shot as a gospel choir sings background.

Game is able to mesh his brash raps while talking about his trials of spiritual growth _ especially on ``Heaven‘s Arms’‘ and ``See No Evil,’‘ with Kendrick Lamar and Tank.

But the album takes a wrong turn on ``Hallelujah,’‘ where Game opens the song praising God with the use of profanity, rapping about the struggle to overcome his worldly desires during church services. Some have said the song is offensive, but don’t let this particular track overshadow the rest of this quality album.

``Jesus Piece‘’ is an entertaining song with verses from Game and Common, and a hook from Kanye West.

(AP)


Big Boi delivers gems on 2nd solo album

Big Boi
``Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors‘’
(Def Jam)

Big Boi is artistic throughout his sophomore solo album, taking risks by meshing electro sounds with his raps and singing. But this collection doesn‘t sound like Flo Rida or Pitbull. This is classic.

``Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors’‘ is a 14-track set that is full of gems, and flows from the intro ``Ascending’‘ to the closing track ``Descending,’‘ with Little Dragon. And what’s in between is just as great, including ``Raspberries,‘’ ``Thom Pettie‘’ and ``The Thickets.‘’

Another treasure is ``CPU,‘’ featuring Phantogram, an indie pop group that consists of singer Sarah Barthel and vocalist-guitarist Josh Carter. It‘s a sonically upbeat song with Big Boi rapping about the new age of technology, while Barthel sings her airy vocals.

Big Boi and Phantogram team up again on the impressive ``Objectum Sexuality’‘ and ``Lines,’‘ which also features rapper A$AP Rocky. On the Kelly Rowland-assisted ``Mama Told Me,’‘ the OutKast member rhymes about how maintaining his identity has given him longevity in rap _ thanks to the advice of his mother. Moms do know best.

Big Boi, T.I. and Ludacris each go on a verbal assault, boasting their achievements while paying homage to their hometown, Atlanta, on the hard-hitting ``In the A.’‘

(AP)