Bruno Mars' Jukebox Filled With Enticing Selections

Bruno Mars is quickly gaining recognition as a musical jack-of-all trades. From doo-wop to R & B to reggae, he pulls off many styles ambidextrously. His sophomore outing "Unorthodox Jukebox" speaks volumes about how much mileage he gets through his admirable versatility. The leadoff single and current Billboard magazine #1 "Locked Out of Heaven" is supremely catchy. The guitars are potent. The drums are spicy. At the center of it all, as it should be, Bruno's impassioned delivery comes from a spot of undiluted truth that not too many artists get right on the first or second try. His niche in the male vocalist pantheon is on its way to being reserved. His flight of elation is one music lovers can easily share. I'm high on "Treasure" because it showcases the brand of old school R & B beats New Edition mixed together in the early '80s. If a performer has a wall of alluring mood to guide him, the vocal sorcery comes that much easier. Other times such as on "When I Was Your Man" all it takes is a steadily percolating piano stanza to lend vocal heat. Bruno laments all those times he should've bought his girl roses, should've made far more time with her. Now all he can do is play Monday morning quarterback about the whole love match gone south. While the playfulness of "Locked Out of Heaven" allows Bruno to fly higher, the sobering ivory tickle behind "When I Was Your Man" presents a compelling contrast. The piano passages threaten to engulf him but his exquisite choice of octave positioning keeps him just above a sea of self-pity. Musician and instrument working in tandem equals a standout track. Flipping to the sun splashed domain of reggae, "Show Me" is hugely sexy. There's not one square inch of this song that doesn't make you want to get all primal urge like he does. Even on the grayest of days it injects a rainbow of pleasure cruise escapism, escapism mostly for one's loins but escapism all the same. Bruno's turn as erotic cruise director turns heads. Take a close listen to "If I Knew" and you just might be transported back to the 1950's world of Happy Days where this type of slow, deliberately personal dance hall swaying wouldn't be out of place. How breathtaking that Bruno can assume a role as suave leading man at any tempo. All of them are offered here and, what's more, all of them get people talking because Bruno has such a confident voice. Why do I say confident? There's a purity of intent. You aren't dealing with a booze-crusted rasp like Rod Stewart or a player's ballsy imposition of will like Maroon 5's Adam Levine. Here it's note for note spine tingling that you just couldn't obtain if Bruno used an overdose of sex or booze to distract him. "Unorthodox Jukebox" is worthy of many, many spins. When it comes to respecting R & B and reggae history plus methodically carving out his place in their joint futures, he's done his homework and then some.