Lessons in Love (2008)

Lloyd Polite is blessed with a bright, soulful falsetto — the kind of voice that can elevate even mediocre material. Unfortunately, he's forced to demonstrate that talent all too often on his third LP Lessons in Love. For the most part, this is a bland blur of midtempo grooves and sub-R. Kelly metaphors: On ''Sex Education,'' he's a pervy teacher, while ''Year of the Lover'' (''Girl, watch me cook until you get nice and tender.... I'm holding you hostage'') makes him sound more like Hannibal Lecter. It's all tolerable enough thanks to those vocals, but only the effervescent single ''Girls Around the World'' is truly worthy of Lloyd's skills. C+
DOWNLOAD THIS: Watch the video for ''Girls Around the World'' at MTV.com