Rating: NNN
The title of robo-soul icon T-Pain’s newest album refers both to his self-proclaimed position as the ringleader of the music industry circus and to the derogatory “ring-tone rap” label assigned to him by hip-hop heads unimpressed by the technology-heavy and content-light style that’s brought him such success in the unlikely market of cellphone sounds.
[rssbreak]
No surprise that this album features more of that heavily processed Auto-Tune sound on most of his vocals. Nor will anyone be shocked at the various cheeky odes to strip clubs.
T-Pain will never be known as a brilliant lyricist, and without technological aid it’s unlikely that he’d have a name as a singer. But it’s hard to deny that he may be one of the most inventive producers in pop music today.
If you already hate him, nothing on this disc will change your mind. But some surprisingly creative moments throughout the album will likely inspire hundreds of clones over the next year.
