Babyface’s tedious ‘Grown’ missing convincing swagger

Babyface

“Grown & Sexy” (Arista) ••

Veteran R&B singer-songwriter and producer Kenneth Edmonds’ first collection in four years focuses on the joys and travails of established relationships. His smooth tenor is still up to the task, but the bland sentiments, occasionally wince-inducing lyrical cliches and nearly unrelenting midtempo pace make for a mighty monotonous 52 minutes.

“Tonight It’s Goin’ Down” sets a candlelit mood with its soulful, hip-hop-flavored anticipation of romance, while the syrupy ballad “Mad, Sexy, Cool” celebrates a perfect partner and “Can’t Stop Now” captures the heat of the make-out moment.

But this mature eroticism is undone by overwrought production, eventually drowning every track in layers of instrumentation, vocals and other sonic drama.

At least there’s humor in “Goin’ Outta Business,” which pulls the plug on a mooching girlfriend (no more designer duds or cable TV for her). But even that lacks convincing swagger.

Natalie Nichols, Los Angeles Times

Natasha Bedingfield

“Unwritten” (Sony) •••

A press release places U.K. pop star Daniel Bedingfield’s kid sister “in the tradition of British female singer/songwriters Annie Lennox and Dido.”

In truth, the younger Bedingfield’s debut is most noteworthy for its snappy beats and canny electro-pop production. But her lightly raspy voice, reminiscent of Sophie B. Hawkins, is not without character. And sweetly moody tracks such as “Silent Movie” and “We’re All Mad” suggest that this still-tender talent could bloom considerably by the time she reaches her late 20s – the age at which Lennox and Dido enjoyed breakthroughs.

Elysa Gardner, USA Today

Avenged Sevenfold

“City of Evil” (Warner Bros.) •••

With its foreboding atmosphere, maniacal guitar progressions and downright scalding vocal assaults, Southern California’s Avenged Sevenfold was not a band to be ignored for long.

Signed to a major after releasing two well-received, hard-core-flecked small-label efforts, the band has been touted as metal’s great black-clad hope for a couple of years now. The group’s Warner Bros. debut suggests that it might have felt some pressure to make that a reality.

One of Avenged’s strengths has always been powerful singer M. Shadows’ dramatic, gut-wrenching screams. “City” has no screams whatsoever and very little punk clamor; almost everything on the album is a midtempo anthem. Still, even the more melodic-minded ballads retain metallic muscle.

The record has a progressive feel that brings to mind early Iron Maiden and latter-day Metallica. Though it may catch Avenged’s noise-hungry fans off guard, it shows a marked growth and maturity for the band, which proves that heavy rock doesn’t have to be brutal to beguile.

Lina Lecaro, Los Angeles Times

Young Jeezy

“Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101” (Def Jam) •••

Young Jeezy already has made a couple of forays up the charts with rap quartet Boyz n da Hood’s “Dem Boyz” and Gucci Mane’s “Icy.” Now he shows he’s ready for his close-up on his major-label debut after years on Atlanta’s underground circuit.

His vivid urban tales cover familiar territory but with enough color and swagger to give them an edge. The Mannie Fresh-produced lead single, “And Then What,” bubbles with the energy of Fresh’s best Cash Money work. But the second single, “Soul Survivor,” with Akon, and the rugged “My Hood” are more typical of his pointed descriptions of the hard life on the streets.

Steve Jones, USA Today

Bering Strait

“Pages” (Universal South) ••• 1/2

Bering Strait earned plenty of media attention, including a profile on “60 Minutes,” when this country group by way of Russia released its debut album two years ago. The exposure didn’t translate into hearty sales, but that CD also played it safe, sticking too close to mainstream, slick country-pop. You had to see Bering Strait live to fully appreciate the talent at work.

That’s not a problem on the beautifully played follow-up, “Pages.” If anything, “Pages” is one of the most bravely sequenced CDs in memory. The first track, “Safe in My Lover’s Arms,” is a stark and leisurely-paced ballad; track two, “Oy, Moroz-Moroz,” is a gorgeous Russian folk ballad, followed by the bluegrass and Dobro-laced instrumental “From Ankara to Izmir.” It’s not until track four, “Long Time Comin’,” that the group tosses a bone to radio with a catchy, commercial pop-rock hook.

Lead singer Natasha Borzilova has a lovely voice, and the musicianship is peerless. “Pages” has something to appeal to a wide audience; don’t let this wonderful group go unnoticed.

Howard Cohen, Miami Herald

Fatty Koo

“House of Fatty Koo” (Sony) •••

The title of their debut CD may suggest some elaborate, exotic action-adventure flick. But the six young members of this pop-R&B outfit, already known to viewers of the BET reality show “Blowin’ Up!: Fatty Koo,” offer proof that good things can come in small packages.

Tersely titled tracks such as the percolating “Shake,” with its crisp percussion and string punctuation, and the lilting bolero “Chills” are carried off with conviction and discretion. Better still, they actually sound as if they’re having fun doing this.

Elysa Gardner, USA Today