It’s a supreme understatement to say Ruben Studdard hasn’t fared quite as well as some of his fellow American Idol winners. With meager reception, he has released his 4th album, the smooth contemporary R&B project Love Is. Here’s my thing about Ruben: he’s a great singer but his artistry leaves much to be desired. If Simon Cowell were reviewing this album, he’d say it’s “a bit karaoke” or “a bit lounge singerish”. There’s an overall lack of energy in this album, as if Ruben doesn’t connect with the music in a way that moves him. Thus, I wasn’t moved…

Out of the album’s 12 tracks, 4 are covers, including an above average rendition of Michael Jackson’s I Can’t Help It. Studdard also takes on old school hits like More Than Words (Extreme), The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles) and For The Good Times, made popular in the genre by Al Green. Don’t Make ‘Em Like You No More caught my attention with its more modern pop appeal, and the album closes with the power ballad Footprints In The Sand.

Even with the previously mentioned noteworthy songs, the overall selection is rather boring. This is the album our parents and older generations would probably enjoy more for its smoothness and simplicity, but it fails to fizzle for me and there’s nothing memorable on this album. The issue here is the lack of energy, and for that reason I wouldn’t consider it soul music, more like glossy R&B. So if you’re looking for soft, smooth background music, this album has what you need, but nothing more…

Mack: It's so good to see the big homie Ruben Studdard back in the music scene. It's been almost three years since The Return of The Velvet Teddy Bear was released which was, by the way, a GREAT album. Ne-yo penned this new track, Together, which is also the first single from Studdard's 4th album, entitled Love IS. The album features production by dynamic duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Ne-yo and others, and will be released May 19th. Since his last album, Ruben's gotten married, which might explain the glowy, happier look in this video. Very classy clip, but not over the top. Simple, yet stylish...

On this edition of TIYMLI, I decided to cover a few of the American Idols and some of their recent releases. Brooke's tearful exit last night prompted me to check in on some of the rest of them (don't get it twisted, I'm glad she's gone). Okay okay, so you might not like the show, but you do like good music, that's why you're here. Try something different, you might enjoy it. Happy listening....

Song: Sober
Idol: Kelly Clarkson
Album: My December
Video Link (Fan-made, not official)

Who else to start with but the original? Okay, I admit: I didn’t become an Idol fan until the 3^rd season (Fantasia era), but I became a Kelly Clarkson fan during the finale for Season 1. Sober is a track from her 3^rd album, My December. The instrumental is deep and haunting, the lyrics somber and emotional. Even now, Kelly could sing circles around most of the Idols that came after her and this track proves it.

Song: Celebrate Me Home
Idol: Ruben Studdard
Album: TBD
Video Link (Fan-made, not official)

Ruben, oh Ruben… wherefore art thou? If you don’t watch Idol, then you probably wouldn’t know that this is the song to boot this year – literally. This is the song that’s played when contestants get the boot just before their tearful farewell performance. Don’t get your hopes up though, this isn’t new material from Ruben, it’s a gospel-y cover of an old Kenny Loggins song. Still makes for a good listen though…

Song: One Word
Idol: Elliott Yamin
Album: Elliott Yamin
Video Link

He was a favorite during his season of Idol, and R&B crooner Elliott Yamin is making some great music these days. If you’re a true fan of R&B music, there’s no way you can pass up this guy’s music. If I had to choose one word to describe One Word, all I can say is amazing…

Song: What About Now?
Idol: Daughtry
Album: Daughtry
Video Link (Idol Gives Back performance)

What About Now is a charity single for Idol Gives Back, is a cut off the debut album, Daughtry, from the prominent Idol rocker Chris Daughtry. The video clip I’ve included is to the live performance from this season’s Idol Gives Back episode, and totally captures the sensitivity in the song. You can’t help but feel it. As for the album: I highly recommend it, probably the best debut of all the Idols in the history of the competition.

Song: Permanent Monday
Idol: Jordin Sparks
Album: Jordin Sparks
Video Link (Fan-made, not official)

The current American Idol, Jordin Sparks’ self titled-debut is already gold. Permanent Monday isn’t an official single, but it’s a cut off her CD that’s getting some airplay. There’s no official video for it. It’s a little bit country and a little bit of rock n’ roll…

-MackN2U-

SoundSavvy runs down some of the latest tracks to hit the airwaves. Here's what we think, tell us what you think! Feel free to comment!

MackN2U: Let's talk singles... How u feel about 'Touch My Body’?
Mello: its sexy wit a psycho feel to it… if u catch my drift
MackN2U: yeah, exactly... I might like for Mariah to hunt me down, so uploading to Youtube might actually be worth it...
MackN2U: U heard Elevators by Flo-Rida?
Mello: he's wack 2 me so I always turn him off
MackN2U: I think his 15 seconds are just about up
Mello: 'No Air' by Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks?
MackN2U: I'm really diggin that joint... its such a sappy love song
Mello: young love....so cute
MackN2U: yeah, as long as they don't screw it up with a remix featuring Bow Wow or that damn Juelz Santana
Mello: aye, aye! LOL!! How bout...Pharrell’s protege' Teyana Taylor?
MackN2U: what she sing?
Mello: Google Me Baby! Catchy song...this chic can do it all, skateboard, sing, rap, dance... she's a one woman machine
MackN2U: lol... people will make a song about anything these days
Mello: its catchy tho
MackN2U: so is ‘Ring Around the Rosie’… she's a gimmick... gone in 60 seconds...Now if you want catchy... Ray J.'s new joint is like a nursery rhyme, but it’s hot
Mello: yea, I like it..
MackN2U: his albums just never measure up... I still want my damn money back for Raydiation!!
Mello: LOL! I agree...he brings decent singles then the albums tend 2 flop
MackN2U: To be honest, I don't think there's anything spectacular about Love In This Club
Mello: I think it’s the anticipation of Ushers arrival back on the scene
MackN2U: I mean, it's aight, it's only gettin’ so much airplay because it's Usher though
Mello: that makes the track better
MackN2U: Okay I'mma have a wack moment, because although I can't stand Lil Mama, 'Shawty Get Loose' is a hot track…or maybe just Chris Brown and T-Pain make it hot!
Mello: that might be it
MackN2U: listening to 4 Minutes by Madonna and JT… Is that a Timbaland beat? Kinda nice…
Mello: Weezy and ‘Lollipop’…what's up wit everyone on their Roger Troutman these days?
MackN2U: T-pain brought that whole sound back... and its catching on like every other trend. Even the kids on American Idol are using the voice box. I really like this song though!!
Mello: Speakin’ of Idol…where's Ruben? :-(
MackN2U: absent... well ya know he's got that new song that they play when someone gets eliminated...
Mello: LOL @ absent
MackN2U: Celebrate Me Home... it's got a Gospel feel to it... nice song though... uplifting. When he makes a comeback, then we can celebrate him back!!
Mello: IF he makes a comeback!