The popular second man is flying solo at last. Inescapable and easily recognizable on the radio airwaves, Bruno Mars has provided the melodic backbone to hit songs like B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ On You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire.” He has quickly built an impressive resume that has the pop music scene watching closely. But to this point, he has only been a featured artist, though his vocal chops led many to believe he was ready to branch out on his own. And branch out he has, spinning up a brand new collection of solo songs called “Doo-Wops and Hooligans.”
This album arrives not without some hype. Since summer, the lead single, “Just the Way You Are,” has been gracing high school dances, clubs, radios and just about everywhere else music can be heard. The tune itself is a syrupy love song that will appeal to the teenybopper demographic that pop radio normally services these days. It really is a pleasant song to listen to, and Mars proves he’s got formidable vocal skills.
His album’s opener, “Grenade,” is a track that takes its cue from the days of boy bands and the 90s. Stories of betrayal, heartache and pain are themes for this song, a departure from previous Mars songs. Though the music sounds mature, the lyrics don’t reflect this at all– but you have to give the guy props for trying. I mean, who can say no to lyrics like these: “I’d catch a grenade for ya, throw my hand on a blade for ya, I’d jump in front of a train for ya …” What a guy.
Mars turns up the heat in the seductive, suggestive “Our First Time,” which is about, well, their first time. The effort here seems contrived and unconvincing. The upbeat “Runaway Baby” follows, jarring awake those who drifted off to sleep on the last song. Mars sings at 100 miles per hour, doing his best Adam Levine impression while coaxing his band to join in the Maroon 5 impersonation fun.
The quality of the record quickly heads south from there, with the dreadfully written “The Lazy Song,” which reflects the depravity of youth culture today. One might think I’m just being a high and mighty reviewer, but take a look at these: “I’ll be lying on the couch just chillin’ in my snuggie / Click to MTV so they can teach me how to dougie / Cus in my castle I’m the freakin’ man.” No — just, no.
Some semblance of sanity is restored with the honest “Talk to the Moon.” It provides relief from the incredibly juvenile themes that have permeated the record thus far, proving that beneath the facade, Mars is still a normal guy like the rest of us. Also, fans of Bob Marley will get to hear his son, Damien on the reggae-tastic “Liquor Store Blues.” Not quite like hearing the old man, but it’s a nice taste. Former song-mate B.o.B. also appears on the record, gracing the last track alongside Cee Lo Green. The trio comes together to make what turns out to be one of the strongest songs of the record.
Bruno Mars is clearly not just a flash-in-the pan artist, but it is clear from this debut record that he still has much growing to do. Anyone looking for an enlightening musical experience will want to stay away from this record. It’s a sunny pop album that is heavy on the clichés and rife with tunes that will be lodged in the brain for days. The guy has got talent, but here’s to hoping for better next time around.
