T-Pain - Thr33 Ringz reviewed

Thr33 Ringz T-Pain Jive Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)

There are some things T-Pain does with exceptional talent. He seems to be an instant catalyst for songs on the Billboard Top 100 and he sings a catchy hook better than anyone since Nate Dogg. Whether he's shouting about "boots with the fur" or hanging "over the wall of the V.I.P.," T-Pain is always the one moving hips and lips to the beat.

Thr33 Ringz, Pain's third solo release, is more of the same. Each song, slow- or fast-paced, has quick-hitting drums that elevate T-Pain's auto-tuned voice to a level of dance-hall perfection. On "It Ain't Me," Pain is joined by T.I. and Akon to tell ambitious females that no one's getting spoiled. Pain's repetition of the title-inspired hook sounds like it was mathematically formatted to climb into the back of a fan's head - or radio station playlists.

T-Pain's downfall is himself, though, as shown on the self-proclaimed "Ringleader Man." Here, T-Pain can't seem to escape his own clowning around, regardless of how jovial it is.

"Reality Show" opens up with enthusiastic keys and percussion, but then Pain suggests that he and his significant other should make a reality show in order to display to their love to the world. T-Pain is often no more complex than reality TV - cheap, mindless entertainment.

But he realizes this. After all, he names his album after a circus attraction. He wears the outrageous top hats and platinum grills, all while having the depth of a thimble because he's entertaining and enjoyable.

He tries to find more depth on Ringz, but with fleeting success. On "Change," a rendition of the Eric Clapton hit "If I Could (Change the World)," Pain sings with Akon and Mary J. Blige with serious vision. But when Akon sings, "Race crimes, hate crimes will never exist / I'll turn every bullet to a Hershey's kiss / And we can eat away our fears," it's a reminder that sometimes, smoke and mirrors can show sincerity.

When T-Pain does what he does best - injecting fun and flavor into infectious dance floor beats ("Digital", "Distorted") - then he's as easy to ingest as cotton candy.

But when Teddy Pain tries to be something he's not, like on "Karaoke" when he raps and leaves the choruses to DJ Khaled, he becomes an attraction not worth listening to at all.

T-Pain lives between the verses. With the help of some of his more substantial friends, he's able to string together enjoyable songs and skits. When his auto-tuned voice cascades over soft synthesizers and heavy bass arise about getting lap dances, it becomes apparent that this circus may have three rings, but its staying power is almost running out.

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