Bruno Mars is without a doubt a talented artist. His smooth vocals on B.o.B’s smash hit, “Nothin on You” 
allowed it to go from a feel good track to a Top 40 sensation. He quickly acted on the momentum and released the catchy “Just The Way You Are,” which has landed on the top of the Billboard Top 100. The artist’s light falsetto and catchy songwriting has a star written all over it. So when Bruno finally delivers his first full length offering with Doo Wops & Hooligans, we all can’t help but to be a bit surprised.
Quite frankly, Doo Wops & Hooligans attempts to be everything for everyone. He goes from sounding like a previous Pop sensation, Leona Lewis on “Just The Way You Are” to impersonating Daniel Powter (“Bad Day”) on a “Lazy Day.” The album lacks an identity, and with each song, it slips further into crisis. The problems with the project aren’t vocals or production; in fact Bruno Mars has one of the more silky voices to premier in quite a long time. The problem isn’t even songwriting, it’s clear that Bruno will have a long lasting career as a songwriter, if nothing else. The problem begins and ends with the lack of cohesiveness the project contains.
Doo Wops & Hooligans opens up with “Grenade” and “Just The Way You Are,” both purely Pop records. They work and the one would expect “Grenade” to follow in line with “Just The Way You Are’s” radio success. Make no mistake about it, the tracks don’t revolutionize Pop music, and though they have the potential to be hits, it’s partly because of today’s musical climate. From there, Bruno jumps to classic R&B baby making music with “First Time.” The production is on point with a Reggae guitar rift, but the end result comes across more generic than original.
From their album takes a nose dive into genre no-man’s-land. “Runaway Baby” is arguably the best song of the album, but sounds nothing like the others. He showcases his songwriting “Let me think, let me think, what should I do? / So many eager young bunnies that I’d like to pursue / Now even though they’re eating out of the palm of my hand / There’s only one carrot and they all gotta share it.” It’s the type of writing that fans expect Bruno to fill an album with, but unfortunately, the moment comes and goes. “Lazy Day” is awful and comes across like a cheesy open mic performance that hopes to get a few laughs. Bruno continues his scattered brain album with the euro sounding “Marry Me.” One song later he rolls out a piano ballad, “Talking To The Moon” which is sung beautifully, but veers out of the contemporary. “Count On Me” takes strongly from Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s cover of “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” Bruno Mars’s chameleon project makes even the good songs sound less sincere. As he drifts from Jason Mraz karaoke to Amy Winehouse and then makes a stop in Trey Songz area, nothing seems sincere. Is it polished, of course, but beyond that it makes little impact on the listener.
The only other bright spot on the album is “Liquor Store Blues” featuring Damien Marley. The production is dope, and Bruno sounds extremely natural soaring over it. Lyrically, he shines with the hook, “I take one shot for my pain / One drag for my sorrow / Get messed up today / I’ll be okay tomorrow.” The song’s relevance is particularly striking with those facing tough economic times. It’s the one moment where Bruno’s writing seems to transcend beyond himself. Sadly, it’s too little to late.
Doo Wops & Hooligans should have been a shining debut from a talented artist. Unfortunately, it lacks a personal narrative, any sort of direction, and quite frankly a formula that isn’t completely sales based. If we hold to the belief that a debut album is written from birth to the moment it’s released, one would be led to believe that Bruno Mar’s lived but a few moments in his own skin. The years as a go-to songwriter led him away from a sound of his own and closer to a “what’s going to sell” strategy. Sure the album has the opportunity to be successful, chameleons routinely do well, but make no mistake about it, Doo Wops & Hooligans is a debut that Bruno Mars will one day could look back on to regret.
after g-unit went to shit and Interscope crumbled, I was convinced Atlantic had the ear for talent.
Lupe Fiasco
T.I.
B.o.B.
Killer Mike
B.G.
8Ball & MJG
Now… after this, Lupe’s fiasco, T.I. getting arrested, Diddy leaving… and them signing a bunch of cornballs… I think not.
Wiz Khalifa all y’all got. Bruno Mars is one of the worst artists ever. I hope he goes to jail for that cocaine. Nobody fucks with dude.
One the best this year
Agreed!
Dope Album!
super emo…HOPE DUDES AINT BUMPING THIS..LOOKIN ALL GAY IN YOUR HONDAS
yo
yo2
I’m not ok with the review. Album is good ; well produced (Smeezingtons is the truth !) and nice voice. Ok, his lyrics are sometimes boring, but there not bad song on this. Best tracks : Grenade, Runaway Baby, Talkin’ To The Moon, The Otherside.
Amazing
Bruno Mars proved in this album that… not only can he sing without all the smoke and mirrors (sounds exactly like when he sings these songs live), but he is also a very talented songwriter and a fan of different music genres. What he did, I think ,was brilliant and innovative.
This review is pretty unfair. The album’s pretty good; production is great. He has an awesome voice, and let’s not forget he actually writes his own songs.
4/5 from me.
This reviewers a crackhead. I dont even know why u guys even do reviews. You review albums according to your own personal tastes. You guys trash albums like drake and bruno cause they appeal to popular audiences, meanwhile low budget out of date albums like “Marcberg” get great reviews. GTFOH with that BS.
CO-FUCKING SIGN!
Bruno may not be the best singer ever, but at least he’s a breathe of fresh air from all the T-Pain/Akon/Sean Kingston clones that have been coming out lately.
I cnt believe how shit this reviewer is ive listened to this album all the way through and its a very good album, its different, great voice, good production and most important he writes everything himself.
Worst review ever!! Not a perfect album but not trash like this reviewer is making it out to be. 4 stars but i’ll give it 5 to spite this review.
A very bad review…as no song on the album was bad automatically giving it a 4/5!
brutal mars
all the songz wer good but itz not my type of music…
Why is it on HIPHOPDX clue word HIPHOP!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t disagree with the review. It isn’t a deep album, or cohesive.
But… I didn’t mind that. I felt most of the songs were catchy and fun to listen too. And he has a great voice. Most of the songs are good and fun to listen too (except for me Talking to the Moon, Our First Time, and Marry You). 3 stars for me.
whaaaat…NEW MIXTAPE!
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he’s a really good artiste, he deserves to b up there..chek my page for dat real rap
http://www.myspace.com/cflotentative
5 star
dope
pretty dope
Personally I think this album was at least a 4 its platinum and its different i think Bruno should have won artist of the year too. I can not wait to hear more from him.. this review was just someones opinion. If you havent all ready you should defiantly check this out.
Bruno Mars its sexy and i know it. I love you Bruno, and Doo Wops and Hooligans its super album. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!
When Bruno have got a concert?
This album is great to me. I see no problem with it.