Craig David - Slicker Than Your Average (CD)

All Music Guide

The former British teen sensation kicked off his singing career with the stellar Grammynominated Born to Do It, which blended 2step, RB, and pop. With his second release, Slicker Than Your Average, Craig David shows a different side. While Born to Do It was filled with romantic lyrics, Slicker Than Your Average shares David's feelings about fame, with a small dose of his trademark love songs. On the title track, David takes a stab at those who criticize his "squeaky clean" image and musical style: "Now they're telling me that I'm too RB/How I turned my back on the whole UK garage scene/Now they're stressing me when/I know there's so much more to see." Broken hearts and playing the field are prominent topics as well. Musically, Slicker Than Your Average is a collage of styles dance ("What's Your Flava?," "Eenie Meenie," "Fast Cars") and 2step ("2 Steps Back") as well as RB/pop ballads ("World Filled With Love" and "Rise Fall"). "Rise Fall," a song featuring a guest vocal by Sting, is... among the highlights on the album, as are "You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til the Well Runs Dry)," "What's Your Flava?," and the Beatlesque "World Filled With Love," which is filled with soaring harmonies. Slicker Than Your Average is stronger than the average sophomore effort, and it proves that Craig David's abilities are innate. - Christina Fuoco, All Music Guide Read more Less