B.o.B. – The Adventures of Bobby Ray (7.7/10)

Instead of dwelling on all the things Bobby Ray isn’t, I’ve decided to embrace what the album really is all about… Elementary good times with hip-hop.  Sometimes you’ve just got to let go of the musical snobbery and in B.o.B’s own words, “toast to the good life and take a sip.”

B.o.B – The Adventures of Bobby Ray (7.7 out of 10)

When I first started writing my review for Bobby Ray it was every bit as analytical and overbearing all the other reviews that I had encountered.  And to be truthful, B.o.B. is 1. not lyrically gifted (pretty clichéd), 2. the type of “unconventional” hip-hop artist that is rapidly becoming the rule rather than the exception (see Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Kid Cudi, Wale, et al.), and 3. relatively unoriginal (i.e. the track, Kids, is such a flagrant Vampire Weekend rip that it’s damn-near a cover, and several times throughout the record he claims to be an alien, a la Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Outkast,…)  Yet, I came to a realization today as I was walking my dog around the city giving the album a fourth and final listen.

Against what I thought was my better judgement, I found myself singing along, putting some bounce in my step, and totally nodding my head; I realized I was completely feelin B.o.B.  Although most of his songs are contrived, they’re still incredibly catchy.  Magic, a track which features River Cuomo of Weezer fame, is undeniable fun.  Nothin’ On You is fashioned to be a number one single.  And with the support of cameos from Hayley Williams of Paramore, Eminem, Janelle Monae, T.I., Cuomo, and Lupe Fiasco, the album never ceases to keep you interested.

So, instead of dwelling on all the things Bobby Ray isn’t, I’ve decided to embrace what the album really is all about, elementary good times with hip-hop.  Sometimes you’ve just got to let go of the musical snobbery and in B.o.B’s own words, “toast to the good life and take a sip.”

- B