Trey Songz has to be one of the more intriguing artists when it comes to Male R&B. Not because he's only now just getting his just due, but more so because NONE of his albums have ever gone platinum.
Albeit his last effort, "Ready", was perfectly fine tuned for the radio, its moderate success on the Billboard charts would suggest a star that's still not ready to take t
hat next step and it makes you wonder as to why the release of another album would be this rushed.
Which is a shame. It's never been a matter of talent when it comes to Trey because, clearly, his growth from album to album can be heard in his vocals. "Ready", by far, has been his most complete album to date and now more than ever, Trey Songz has become a household name.
But is that any reason enough to try and "strike while the iron is hot" so to speak. I say no and so does "Passion, Pain & Pleasure" as an album.
First thing's first, "Passion, Pain & Pleasure" is unlike anything Trey Songz has ever done. Gone is that perfect balance he's had on his last few albums and, instead, it's as if he stripped away everything except "sex". Don't get me wrong, I understand by the title of the album as to what it's supposed to be about; but to make a whole album about all the emotions that come along with "sex" shows a sign of immaturity if you ask me.
I've never been much of a fan of this TV show/album set up that BET has had a hand in, as well, but a critic will be a critic, I suppose, and the point I'm trying to make is that more could've been done with this album had Trey taken his time. Take, for instance, the set up.
The alcohol induced "Bottoms Up" featuring Nicki Minaj was the perfect choice to go with as the lead single but, sadly, nothing much else comes close to it on the album. Not even the Drake assisted "Unusual". The only thing of note are a few power ballads here and there ("Love Faces", "Can't Be Friends", "Please Return My Call", and "Made To Be Together"), but there are points on the album where the subject matter becomes repetitive and that's saying a lot coming from a Trey Songz album.
Those bright spots aside, this album will not do anything to help Trey progress as an artist. Weak subject matter and a poorly put together concept waters down "Passion, Pain & Pleasure" and only true fans of Trey will appreciate what he has to say here. Not that that's a bad thing; but for it to be his moment (as his television show on BET would suggest), he shies away from the limelight and, instead, fades into the background.
Albeit his last effort, "Ready", was perfectly fine tuned for the radio, its moderate success on the Billboard charts would suggest a star that's still not ready to take t
hat next step and it makes you wonder as to why the release of another album would be this rushed.Which is a shame. It's never been a matter of talent when it comes to Trey because, clearly, his growth from album to album can be heard in his vocals. "Ready", by far, has been his most complete album to date and now more than ever, Trey Songz has become a household name.
But is that any reason enough to try and "strike while the iron is hot" so to speak. I say no and so does "Passion, Pain & Pleasure" as an album.
First thing's first, "Passion, Pain & Pleasure" is unlike anything Trey Songz has ever done. Gone is that perfect balance he's had on his last few albums and, instead, it's as if he stripped away everything except "sex". Don't get me wrong, I understand by the title of the album as to what it's supposed to be about; but to make a whole album about all the emotions that come along with "sex" shows a sign of immaturity if you ask me.
I've never been much of a fan of this TV show/album set up that BET has had a hand in, as well, but a critic will be a critic, I suppose, and the point I'm trying to make is that more could've been done with this album had Trey taken his time. Take, for instance, the set up.
The alcohol induced "Bottoms Up" featuring Nicki Minaj was the perfect choice to go with as the lead single but, sadly, nothing much else comes close to it on the album. Not even the Drake assisted "Unusual". The only thing of note are a few power ballads here and there ("Love Faces", "Can't Be Friends", "Please Return My Call", and "Made To Be Together"), but there are points on the album where the subject matter becomes repetitive and that's saying a lot coming from a Trey Songz album.
Those bright spots aside, this album will not do anything to help Trey progress as an artist. Weak subject matter and a poorly put together concept waters down "Passion, Pain & Pleasure" and only true fans of Trey will appreciate what he has to say here. Not that that's a bad thing; but for it to be his moment (as his television show on BET would suggest), he shies away from the limelight and, instead, fades into the background.
Rating: 6.0 headphones out of 10
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