Bruno Mars
Doo Wops & Hooligans

by: Christina Calloway on Oct 05 2010
High quality: Better than about 95% of other albums being released.
4.0
Debut albums can be tricky in today's musical climate but Bruno Mars has laid a pretty heavy hit-laden foundation upon which to build his reputation on his debut, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Mars has already lent his vocals to one of the hottest songs of this past summer (Nothin' on You with B.o.B.), co-written international pop hits Right Round by Flo Rida and Wavin' Flag by K'naan, and co-produced Cee-Lo's viral hit Fuck You! Doo-Wops & Hooligans does not disappoint based on Mars previous work. Mars was raised in Hawaii in a musical family where doo-wop R&B heavily influenced a young Mars and you can hear it all throughout his first album. Doo-Wops & Hooligans is a pop album that seamlessly captures reggae, hip-hop, rock, and R&B in its melodies. Mars manages to compile all his influences into the album without seeming scattered. Mars' voice is melodic and his falsetto is easy and unconstrained similar to Justin Timberlake, El DeBarge, and the most prolific, Michael Jackson. His sound can be appreciated the most on Our First Time, Marry You, and Grenade. If you are a hardcore R&B and soul listener the best you may get from this album is The Other Side featuring Cee-Lo and B.o.B and while some of Mars' lyrics can get syrupy sweet (like on his lead single Just The Way You Are, the perfect pop crooner song) there is depth in the album's instrumentation and Mars' corresponding musings on love, heartache, and heartbreak. Doo-Wops & Hooligans may be a stretch for some T.I.R.M. listeners but its pop simplicity is to be appreciated considering Mars' musical capabilities. Overall, Mars creates a perfectly crafted pop album that is sure to be dominating the airwaves.
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