Album Review 2: Ruben Studdard – ‘The Return’

By Jeff Swindoll Nov 1, 2006, 0:56 GMT

After the righteous blast of gospel that was I Need an Angel, Ruben Studdard’s oh-so-secular disc, The Return, can be a little disconcerting: he of the velvet voice and teddybear looks wants to get you loose (see "Get U Loose"), but more importantly, he wants to get you used to the fact that, cuddly nickname or no, he\'s--lookout, ladies!--a playa. "Let me start by saying I\'m not tryin\' to get ...more

I suppose that you’d have to be living under a rock not to know who Ruben Studdard is.  Even I, someone who doesn’t watch American Idol and doesn’t have much inclination to watch the show, am aware that he beat Clay Aiken to take the prize in the second season of American Idol. 

Studdard, the son of two teachers, honed his musical skill singing in the choir at church.  In the usual tradition of the show, his debut album was eagerly anticipated.  That album, 2003’s ‘Soulful,’ debuted at number one on the Billboard chart and his second album, 2004’s gospel album ‘I need an Angel,’ reached number one on the Billboard gospel charts.  Studdard has been relatively quiet since them owing to some personal problems (he sued his business advisor for embezzlement of funds).

Now in 2006 he returns a different fellow since going on a weight loss and fitness regimen.  His new album is ironically titled ‘The Return.’  He seemingly steps away from his gospel routes and for the fist time collaborates with rapper Ne-Yo.  The album starts off with the track “The Return (of the Velvet Teddy Bear)” referencing the nickname that he was given on American Idol. 

This album does sound somewhat different than his other work and you’ll find no gospel songs on it.  The problem, well I don’t want to call it too much of a problem since Studdard is still a talented singer, is that the majority of the songs sounded the same to me (R&B ballads about love and relationships, etc.). 

It wasn’t until “I’m not Happy” that I detected a little bit of a Spanish influence in the opening cords that I detected something a bit different to my ear.  Don’t get me wrong; I ended up liking the album.  I just wished that there were a little more variety (to my untrained ear).  Fans of Studdard will be glad to see him back again, but I hope that he tries something more daring with his next album. 

‘The Return’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.