Darius Rucker — Back To Then

Back To Then

Hidden Beach/Epic/Sony

Andrew Cohen (CHARTattack)

07/30/2002 9:35am

With an established career (read: multiplatinum recording artist) leading Hootie & the Blowfish and an instantly recognizable baritone voice, Darius Rucker has all the notoriety he needs to release a solo album. So what happens when you, a recognized artist loved by many a yuppie, switch genres and release an R&B-soul-funk infusion? You recruit the likes of Jill Scott, Snoop Dogg and Lil’ Mo to lend urban creditability to the album. I’m not sure who I’m more disappointed in — the artists who sold out in lending their name to this non-album or Darius for inflicting this upon us. He’s got solid pipes and it shines in bright, bouncy songs like the Al Green cover "I’m Glad You’re Mine," but otherwise it’s all just… not right. There’s some stellar instrumentation, but Rucker’s bright vibrato strains are definitely not suited for the R&B tip.

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