Boyz’ ‘Evolution’ On The Spicy Side

You don’t buy a Boyz II Men album to be shocked. You don’t look to it for transcendence. You don’t count on cerebral stimulation.

What you will get from Philadelphia’s indomitable pop-R&B quartet, though, might as well come stamped with a lifetime guarantee - and sealed with a kiss: Like the blockbuster albums before it, “Evolution” arrives loaded with colossal ballads and melodic midtempo grooves, tender words and sweet sentiments, resonant harmonies that sprawl across glossy arrangements like a big, cozy blanket.

Some folks may try to bill this third disc as Boyz II Men on a maturity kick - well, it is “Evolution” - and the fare on this 13-track set is definitely spicy for these selfprofessed mama’s boyz. Prime example: “Come On” - one of three tracks produced by the ubiquitous, red-hot Sean (Puffy) Combs - pulsates with a sultry throb and a “really wanna get your body on” lyric.

Boyz II Men wanted to cry with you on 1991’s “Cooleyhighharmony.” They wanted to make love to you (if you wanted them to) on 1994’s “II.” On “Evolution,” well, they’re more into rocking you tonight … baby.

But savvy chart-toppers don’t jeopardize a platinum formula by spurning the devoted listeners and radio programmers who have helped them move millions of freshscrubbed, velvet-‘n’-honey records. So despite the surplus heat, “Evolution” is still more soda pop than cognac.