Music Review: Bruno Mars "Unorthodox Jukebox"

Pic viaUnorthodoxJukebox.com

I just picked up the new Bruno Mars record Unorthodox Jukebox and to be honest the title of the album explains it all. I tend to like sophomore albums because the artists usually get a little more freedom and take bigger risks with the writing, except for Ke$ha. Bruno took advantage of that on Unorthodox Jukebox, stating in a Billboard interview;"This is me going into the studio and recording and writing whatever I want. This album represents my freedom."It's nice that he is getting to do a record with such diversity on it. It helps he has proven himself as a hit pop music writer by co-writing such 2012 successes like "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy, " Cee-Lo's "Forget You," and B.o.B.'s debut single "Nothing On You."Bruno's precious album Doo-Wap and Hooligans was a fun 50's rock/modern pop fusion explosion. Which for someone like me who grew up listening to the oldies station because that is all my father listened to is refreshing. Unorthodox Jukebox is nothing like that in all respects. Bruno and company definitely took advantage of blending older music influences and genres with modern pop music, but this is no two-step rock and blues mix. Every track offers something different; new wave, roots reggae, jazz, and even funk.Going track by track the first song "Young Girls," which is going to be the second single soon to be released, is a cute pop ode to fun loving, crazy, party girls and Bruno's inability to stay clear of them despite knowing better. Second is he first radio release "Locked Out Of Heaven" and I will admit my first reaction was "I LOVED THIS SONG! When The Police released it as 'Can't Stand Losing You.'" The song has grown on me, and it's not so much a rip-off musically as it is a pop interpretation of an early 80's alt rock sound, a la The Police. Next up is possibly my favorite song, "Gorilla." This is not a love song. This is not a ballad, those come later. This is a straight up fucking song! Ripped clothes, thrown on the bed, nails across the back fuck song.

Pic via Billboard.com

Now that we've taken a cold shower lets get back to the album. The next four songs are those love song/ballads I was talking about earlier. "Treasure" is a bit funkier in the bunch where "If I Was Your Man" is that emotionally real ballad about losing the girl of your dreams. You know, the one you wouldn't go "Guerrilla" on in the bedroom. "Natalie" is less love song and more of a warning song about a run around type of girl. Think "Little Sister" by Elvis meets "Gold Digger," lyrically that is, but still has the loving upbeat to it. And show me is a straight up roots reggae song. Very traditional to that genre and there isn't a bad thing to say about that.Finishing off the album is "Money Makes Her Smile" and "If I Knew." The first is a new wavy tune about a money loving stripper, sorry that was redundant. The latter is the closest to Bruno's previously known style. A good old fashion love song coming down in three part harmonies. It might be the last song on the record but its not the best nor worst. "If I Knew" has some great production behind it, and by that I mean very little. Nice open mic placement giving it a rawer sound compliments the apologetic tone of the lyrics.If you're a pop music fan or the slightly snobby type that spends every quarter downloading songs on the internet jukebox no one else has heard of at the bar "Unorthodox Jukebox" is a good addition to your music collection. If you're thinking about buying Bruno Mars' CD take a quick listen to my "Unorthodox Jukebox: If You Also Like…" playlist first, I doubt you'll be disappointed with either.Click to start Unorthodox Jukebox: If You Also Like… Playlist