This dispensable loverman may reference Marvin Gaye on the cover of Director, his fourth LP, and name-drop Smokey Robinson and Al Green in the album's lyrics, but his soggy quiet-storm R&B recalls those legends in only the most shallow sense. Slight reprieves arrive with the Jermaine Dupri-produced horndog bouncer ''You Know What'' and ''4 Minutes,'' which brings 24's real-time shtick (guess how long it lasts) to generic soul. But milquetoasty also-rans like ''Imagination'' dominate and make you wish Avant had one.
OscarWatch TV: 'Avatar' as underdog?
Dave Karger and Missy Schwartz on the rise of ''Hurt Locker,'' Sandra leapfrogging Meryl for Best Actress
More
Totally 'Lost'!
Get up to speed for the final season:
New theories and news from Doc Jensen, exclusive video, photos, trivia, and more
More
Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.