Tyrese (RCA)
In this video-centric age, in which nice pecs can mean as much as nice pipes, 22-year old actor, model and certified gaze magnet Tyrese Gibson, who was one of PEOPLE'S Sexiest Men last year, launched a music career in 1998 with his platinum debut disc, Tyrese. The heat goes on with this sophomore collection, which has landed him back in Billboard's Top 10. Problem is, neither his emote-by-numbers vocal style nor much of his material is as sculpted as his look. Tyrese's sound is cut from typical Top 40 R&B cookie dough. He hits the notes he aims for, and his voice charms but rarely surprises; he is personable without having much personality, despite giving his all in hip-shakers like the single "I Like Them Girls." But even that is ultimately lackluster, as is the mid-tempo love song "There for Me," which was cowritten by the usually reliable Babyface. Fans may be advised to wait for a gander at Tyrese moonlighting—he stars in John Singleton's new feature film Baby Boy.
Bottom Line: Power shortage
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