R&B singers with big career kickoff singles never seem to get the opportunity to release defining debuts, do they? True singles -- the kind you can pop down to the store and buy -- have been unavailable or hard as heck to find for quite a while, so how's a record company going to make the money? Besides selling the track to Coke or McDonalds (
Houston's "I Like That" is working television ad wonders for the latter), there's only the touring gamble and the rushing-the-album-out option. It's doubtful that the title is intentionally ironic, but with the usual combination of slow jams, interludes, and club tracks,
It's Already Written does sound like it could have been written for anybody. Luckily,
Houston's
R. Kelly-esque croon is strong, his swagger is convincing, and his delivery is right on. He's reserved on pillow talk tracks like "My Promise," while club numbers like the dancehall-flavored "Keep It on the Low" find him lyrically bouncing on the notes. "I Like That" could be a cousin to
Usher's sparkling "Yeah," and the man has the confidence to cover
Ready for the World's "Love You Down" and add his own spin to it.
Houston's been handed a better set of songs than most record-label-rushed crooners get, but after 15 tracks you can't say you know him. A little more personality next time would be beneficial, but for now
Houston's just a great singer with a killer single and a handful of decent tracks. Sounds like a good deal, but
Houston's emotional range suggests his career-defining moment is going to come when his handlers get deep. ~ David Jeffries