Bruno’s breezy debut passable, not a classic

Feb 06, 2011 |

Age Correspondent

Artist: Bruno Mars
Album: Doo-Wops & the Hooligans
Elektra

Bruno Mars’ debut album is a light, breezy listen with something in it for everyone. An eclectic mix of pop, rock, reggae, R‘n’B and soul, Doo-Wops & the Hooligans is a tribute to the doo-wop genre of music.
A real delight is the number Just The Way You Are. The hallmark of Mars’ work is the simplicity that his lyrics epitomise. In Just The Way You Are, Mars sings “When you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while”. Corny you may think, but corny is in especially when love is all around us this Valentine’s season.
The whole feel-good, carefree and positive feeling that runs across this album is hard to miss. In parts it seems like Mars has tried too hard to include all sorts of listeners, though he has said that the doo-wop bit is for the girls while the hooligan bit is for the guys.
Grenade is one of the few darker songs in the otherwise flowers in spring album. Liquor Store Blues is vintage Marley with Mars collaborating with the legendary reggae musician’s singer son Damien. The pick of the album, however, has to be The Other Side. It is complex, layered and by far the most intense song of the album.
Overall, Doo-Wops & the Hooligans is worth a listen and is perhaps ideal for a long drive. With a mix of genres, it is easy and mostly uncomplicated, but its not a classic either.

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