The Declaration (2008)

Great vocal ability isn't strictly required in today's R&B market — just ask Chris Brown, Ciara, and a host of other hitmakers. But it does beg for personal dynamism, a trait that the feathery-voiced, perfectly pleasant singer-actress Ashanti has never managed to project, despite a string of successful singles in the early '00s. The Declaration simply doesn't make much of a statement, and its high point — the prettily emotive ballad ''The Way That I Love You'' — isn't enough to unseat the Beyoncés and Mary J.'s of the world. C+
DOWNLOAD THIS: Watch the video for ''The Way That I Love You''at AOL Music