Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

I gotta wonder; are Tyrese and D’Angelo having some kind of rivalry as to who can produce the most chiseled abs in music? While both could easily be lightweights finalists at the Arnold Classic Competition; the term lightweight unfortunately seems to supply to Tryese in more ways than one.

His first single, "How You Gonna Act Like That," is a kinda sweet and shows that there is a sensitve man beneath the his ripped pectorals, but he gets off track with the common "You Don't Give a Damn About Me."

Fortunately, he does have a savior in Jermaine Dupri, as his production skills spice up the tracks "Girl I Can't Help It." and the especially effective "Somebody Special."

However, too many mid-tempo tunes are just groove-voided and really pound on the door of wimpiness and harks upon the worst of the 90’s sluggish jams.

Tyrese also seems to be under the impression that his sharp muscle definition makes up for his apparent lack of individuality or distinguishing voice. It doesn’t.

If Tyrese wants to be the next king of soul ballads, it is Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye that he should strive to imitate…not Boyz II Men!