CD Review-Colby O’Donis-Colby O.

By John Garces/entertainment editor

Nineteen-year-old Colby O’Donis may have set the mainstream rhythm and blues world on its ear with the first single from his debut album Colby O., but what follows is a painfully inconsistent selection of songs.

The first single, “What You Got,” featuring Akon, became a Top 40 hit and is certainly a good way to start off an album.

But most of the songs that follow fail to recapture that magic.

Songs like “Sophisticated Bad Girl” try to be the kind of song that sets itself apart from the rest, but the sizzle of an unforgettable hook is what keeps it from being special.

Other selections on the record fall flat at the production hand of O’Donis, who may have been guilty of trying too much too soon, especially on a first try.

The album isn’t devoid of other high moments, though.

The second single, “Don’t Turn Back,” is one of those, as it features all of the hooks and beats you would expect from a hip-hop/rhythm and blues song, but it also features the flamenco guitar stylings of O’Donis, giving it a fresh, different feel from most offerings in the genre.

The song, also written by O’Donis, gives the listener something they can relate to as he wonders in the tune why women can’t get past previous relationships and move on with their lives.

One of the other highlights of the album is “Natural High,” a collaboration with rapper/hit-maker T-Pain.

While the album struggles to catch its footing in places, there’s more than enough on Colby O. to keep most fans of hip-hop, R&B, or pop music interested.