Ready by Trey Songz @ ARTISTdirect.com

Since making his recording debut in 2005, Trey Songz has patiently and artfully crafted some of the most acclaimed and compelling R&B music of the decade. His first two Songbook Entertainment/Atlantic albums, "I GOTTA MAKE IT" (2005) and "TREY DAY" (2007), yielded a trio of top ten singles, "Girl Tonight," "Last Time," and "Can't Help But Wait." And when the latter song garnered Trey a coveted Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, it marked the validation of the faith shown in Trey by the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, who hailed him as one of "the most promising R&B artists we have had since we started the company 60 years ago." Now, with the 2009 release of "READY," Trey Songz is more than ready to claim his place in the pantheon of R&B greats.

From the street single, "Brand New," to his self-described male version of Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" in "One Love," the Virginian draws on a range of influences to craft an album that will thrill his longtime fans and happily surprise all newcomers to Trey Songz. Indeed, with its blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop - exemplified by tracks like "Black Roses," where Trey croons over a distorted guitar - "READY" demonstrates his growth on every front. The third time around, Trey displays a new vocal maturity combined with his renowned ability to twist notes and keys effortlessly, while presenting an increasing breadth of subject matter.

"With every move you make you have something to prove," says Trey. "There's always room for improvement. I'm growing, as a person, as an artist, and as a man. My clothes fit differently, my braids are missing... I'm changing as a person and the music is the better for it."

Deftly balancing and separating his roles as artist, businessman, and philanthropist, Trey has delivered his best work to date with "READY." "I've always been the underdog of my class," says Trey. "But this time nothing can stop me from achieving all that I want."

All Music Guide Review

Three albums in and Trey Songz still sounds like he was raised in a bizzaro land where all music was based on the teachings of R. Kelly. From his cool delivery to his unashamed lyrics -- first line on the album: "This one here's a panty dropper" -- he's a time-warp version of Kelly, one just entering his mid-twenties with a more excusable, though just as excessive, horniness. To call it anything less, like "lust", wouldn't be fair to the lines about pillow-biting on "Neighbors Know My Name" -- because "she's a screamer" -- or all the other moments that get a bit too graphic for an album that doesn't carry a Parental Advisory sticker (especially dangerous since Songz still has teen appeal at his age). An odd mashing of his mentor's styles result in amusing numbers like "Jupiter Love" which packages its "do you right" message in an arrangement that's "I Believe I Can Fly" big, as if Disney commissioned a softcore porno soundtrack. Even at a whopping 17 like-minded tracks, all-night lovers wouldn't be caught dead complaining about how overly long it all is, and if you can't get down with an album featuring the key track "I Invented Sex," then you just don't understand the difference between ridiculous and delicious. Trey Songz might, or he might not, it's hard to tell, but either way, this is as entertaining and frivolous as a one-night stand should be. If those played-out R. Kelly albums aren't doing the trick anymore, Ready is just what it says it is. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi