The Return

Ruben Studdard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B000HBKCDM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,779 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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 in your jeans," sings the man most of the world recognizes as a nice religious boy on the appealingly crackly "Let Me Make You Feel Beautiful." By the next track, though, he gets to the point: "Your body my body gonna be friends." And so it goes with the rest of the disc: diamonds shine off of his cuffs on "What Tha Business Is," a bouncy but burly club track; "To Da Crib" traffics in pure seduction ("I'm tellin' you, you won't forget it girl, even though you thought he rocked your world") and tosses in the N word for effect; and "Blow Ya Mind" extends a straightforward invitation--"take your clothes off/it'll feel right." It's not that Studdard, whose voice is in as fine a form as it was in 2003 when he won "American Idol," comes off as lecherous here--there have been far dirtier R&B discs--but he does give his sweet Southern persona a run for its money. Still, check him out: with Luther gone, there may be no smoother R&B torchbearer. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars three for the talent, November 11, 2006

By 

. (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Return (Audio CD)

Ruben Studdard could become one of our great singers ...-could-... but greatness is more than just making a nice sound come out of your mouth: Studdard's recordings don't have the consistency of point of view that comes from the ARTIST -having- a point of view. (Example: A much less technically adept singer, Madonna, for instance, can work with any number of producers, and yet a listener can -hear- that no tune is released until -she- approves it.) Studdard has to stop taking everyone else's word on what works. Sure, you use experts in each field to put the project together, but it's YOUR project. It's time to take charge of your career, this aint "American Idol" anymore. It's not terrible, it just ain't Ruben.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Return, October 14, 2006

By 

TrinaC - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Return (Audio CD)

Glad to see Ruben step out of the American Idol zone and bring it to us like a man. I listened to the entire CD yesterday on a first listen site, not expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised. Great balance of songs on this disc. From the slow and sultry "Blow Ya Mind" to the up-tempo groove of "What The Business Is," the CD sizzles. Favorites, "Blow Ya Mind," "Our Story" and "I'm Not Happy." Oh yeah, I cringed at the idea of a cover, especially a Luther cover, but was overwhelmed by the awesomeness of "If Only For One Night." Great homage to Mr. Vandross. Huge step-up from "Soulful."

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smooth and sultry, October 21, 2006

By 

Neilisa (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Return (Audio CD)

This CD is my introduction to Ruben. I confess I haven't followed his career nor have I listened to any of his previous CDs. However, I love his sound. It's sultry, sexy, mesmerizing. Ruben's style sort of reminds me of Luther Vandross. This CD is what I'd listen to on a rainy night, cuddled up in front of the fire with someone I love.

The Return (of the Velvet Bear) is catchy. Makes you wanna get on your feet and let your body sway to the music.

Change Me is a slow ballad. Not sure if I like it yet. I can't put my finger on why I don't like it. I don't know. Maybe it's the lyrics.

Make Ya Feel Beautiful is another sultry tune that truly does make you feel sexy as you get up and dance to it.

My favorite track is If Only for One Night. It's beautiful yet sad, haunting yet, um, fulfilling. Really great song to slow dance to.

I'm rating The Return a four out of five stars because I'm not sure if it'd make my top ten list of favorite CDs. I think Ruben has great style, great voice and as he gains more experience and more confidence in himself, he'll get better and better.