A Masterful Music Icon Makes His Debut

"Doo-Wops & Hooligans" (2010)

1. "Grenade"
Starting off the album is this hit single from the young singer who gives a heartbreaking vocal performance against dramatic pop production.  The lyrics are borderline depressing as Bruno sings with a painful tone that he would do anything to sacrifice himself for the woman he loves.  I remember when this song came out and it was all over the radio.  Bruno is a contemporary soul singer who knows how to not only sing a hit but bring some genuine and strong emotional resonance to a song.  This is a beautiful piece of music as it reminds of why music exists: to move us in ways we have never felt before. Brilliant!
(A)

2. "Just The Way You Are"
Another breathtaking song and hit single from the album, "Just The Way You Are" is a stunning ode to the woman that makes Bruno feel so strongly about love.  The lyrics are once again written so precisely well; feeling almost about poetry.  You can tell Bruno has a heart of gold and knows how to put some excellent vocal delivery on a track like this.  It's another song I remember being all over the radio when it came out and it was SO well deserved on all it's success.  It's touching; just striking the right balance between smooth and surprisingly heartwarming! Wonderful contemporary classic!!! :)
(A+)

3. "Our First Time"
Ooooo, this is very sensual; even borderline sexy.  I love the Caribbean production of that heavy yet smooth island groove with that awesome guitar instrumental incorporated into it. The chorus is pretty catchy and the track is just so soothing to the ears. I can imagine a good number making babies to this song...WHAT??? It's true!! :P Bruno also shows he is a versatile vocalist; hitting a solid high note toward the end of the song.  I just like the chill atmosphere of the song as it just makes me want to relax and enjoy the mood it sets.
(A-)

4. "Runaway Baby"
I LOVE the mixture of time periods and genres here. You have 60s rock juxtaposed to 70s Jimi Hendrix-esqe soul. It makes for such a dynamic sound and Bruno sings this with a furious tone in his voice as she warns the women he will cast a spell on with his charms.  I love the song for it's vintage sound alone; reminding listeners of an er of music long since gone but clearly not forgotten.  The production is just remarkable and feels so authentic to the time period it is representing. Another solid track from this album for sure! :)
(B+)

5. "The Lazy Song"
Well, this song is certainly unique! O_O A song about.....nothing...or at least doing nothing all day.  The lyrics are hilarious as well as the song's purposely half a$$ production. lol I like the casual whistles and the guitar riff. I just don't know if I really like it that much. Compared to the last 4 tracks it feels like filler. I mean it's suppose to be comedic and relatable as I'm sure many have felt lazy and wanting to do nothing all day.  But for me this is just pretty good; if not worth skipping!
(C+)

6. "Marry You"
I forgot how many hit songs came off this album!!! O_O "Marry You" has a more contemporary feel to it than the last tracks but Bruno is more than a match for the song's pulsing dance beat.  But it doesn't also incorporate some more vintage tones to it which make it stand out.  I love the message of the song being so helplessly in love that you want the love of your life out of no where on a normal day.  I also like the wedding bells used in the background as well; which make for a nice touch! A stand out on the album with a sweet melody, touching lyrics and a heartfelt vocal performance from Bruno.
(A-)

7. "Talking To The Moon"
Hmmmm, for the first ballad for Bruno on the album, this has got to be the weakest song on the track.  There's just something about vocal arrangements and melody that feels seriously off.  Another track that could be skipped because while the sentiment is admirable, if not slightly sappy, it just doesn't come together so strong.  It feels a little clumsy in delivery; making you want to zone out during the song!! Oh well, Bruno and his producers tried but this is the album's first real misstep! Sorry! :(
(C-)

8. "Liquor Store Blues" (Featuring Damian Marley)
Teaming up with reggae royalty, Bruno sings about losing himself in alcohol to feel better due to the pain and struggles he has endured.  As great as Bruno is on the track, I'm so in love with Damian Marley's verse as well as superb guitar solo.  This is an overall excellent collaboration between two very distinct artists; striving to make music that resonance beyond a typical beat and basic lyrics. I really like it! :)
(A-)

9. "Count On Me"
Awwww, this is a pretty sweet indie song!!! With a gentle guitar melody as well as some light drum mixing with it.  I can't say it's one of my favorites as it is light fluff overall. I mean it isn't a bad song by any means.  I love Bruno singing about friendship and honor toward a dear friend in his life who he ressures he is reliable. But it just feels a little too weak for me and not making much of an impact compared to the rest of the album. Sorry again! :(
(C+)

10. "The Other Side" (Featuring CeeLo Green and B.O.B)
Ending things with some fun and funk, Bruno tag teams this track with R&B soul man CeeLo Green and rapper B.O.B.) Each delivering competent and thought provoking verses, this is a great way to end the album. Bruno sings with lots of energy and power on this one. I'm sure CeeLo help out with the song's production and I really like how the song transitions from a vintage rock-soul melody to a trippy dance beat toward the end. Anyway, a solid conclusion to a really good album! :)
(B+)

Back in 2010, no one really knew who Bruno Mars was. The year prior featured him on a massive hit, "Billionaire" with Travie McCoy. He also released a limited EP "It's Better You Don't Understand", but his producers as well as Bruno had more ambitious ideas for what his official debut not only should look like but sound like!  The result was the often eclectic pop album that is "Doo-Wops and Hooligans"!!! An album that many critics found generic sound; aka too similar to the likes of Michael Jackson and Jason Mraz. But I find that hard to believe when the album has such respect for the past by incorporating it with current trends; something that Bruno would go on to perfect even more with his next two albums. The lead singles, "Grenade" and "Just The Way You Are" are excellent songs; beautifully written and stunningly structured musically. It's no wonder they became not only hits in the states but internationally.  "The Lazy Song" was a moderate top 10 hit, though I'm still not a particular fan of it. "Marry You", on the other hand, was a superb single that should have garnered more success on the charts.  I also have to mention the reggae feel of album with tracks like the sexual smoothness of "Our First Time" and the intoxicated troubles of "Liquor Store Blues".  The collaborations are also spot on, with Damian Marley and CeeLo Green being inspired choices that add to the songs they are featured on. While the reviews for the album were mixed, it was still nominated for the big 5 categories at the Grammys including Album of the Year in 2011.  The album would go on to peak at the #3 spot on BB 200 and sell over 6 million copies worldwide.  Then came the very successful "Doo-Wops and Hooligans" Tour.  As a debut, it's one of the finest in recent memory. Not only was it successful, but the majority of the tracks felt timeless with lyrics that pull at those emotional strings and give your feelings something to sooth in.  Bruno was also proving to be an awesome performer; able to play different instruments (though not at a time like the eccentric, late Prince) But still, you can tell this man was no joke and an exceptional talent only giving us a taste of his multi-generation tapping music. :)

"With an inspiring amount of lovely lyrics, wonderful productions and positively manipulative music that sends multiple sensations of emotion, "Doo-Wop & Hooligans" is a great start for this soul ridden, pop hitmaker that only promises more strong releases for the future!" :)
(B+)