Review: Bruno Mars "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" (2010)

Yeah, we all know his melodic voice from songs like I Wanna Be A Billionaire and Just The Way You Are. He is better and bigger than that.
His debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans released last year is something fresh to the music world although the numerous clichés and contradictions he uses along the album.
Mars once said "If you know my story, you know I love all different genres of music". Now it's clear the widely different artists he likes such as The Police, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and more recent artists like Jessie J and Jack White.
Generally Bruno Mars' songs are described as "'feel-good', carefree and optimistic, however, darker subjects are addressed in songs like Grenade, Liquor Store Blues and Talking To The Moon, which detail failed relationships and self-destructive behavior."
His voice is extremely soft thanks to his fantastic capacity for using falsetto making his voice much more versatile.

"Grenade" (3:40) (as far as many others on the album) talks about love, an unconditional love that is not received back. The girl has broke his heart, although he would give everything to her without any questions. Resume? He loves her so much he would die for her, but she wouldn't do the same. This song sounds a little bit reckless and dangerous, all the idea of sacrificing his life is very strong although the romantic side of it.

Bruno Mars left a message on the official video released by his label WMG.

"The song is about loving someone so deeply, and the pain of knowing that the person you love does not feel the same. The actions in this video serve as a metaphor, and should not be taken literally. I am aware of the power of visual media, and I encourage everyone who watches this video to understand that it is an artistic interpretation of the song, and not something to imitate." -- Bruno Mars

"Oh oh, I would go through all of this pain

Take a bullet straight through my brain

Yes, I would die for you, baby
But you won't do the same"

"Just The Way You Are" (3:39) Guess what? YES! Another love song but there's a very subtle difference.
This one he says he loves her just the way she is, he loves her with all her flaws because she is gorgeous and amazing. He loves everything about her and he wouldn't change a thing. Just The Way You Are it's one of those songs that every girl wished to be written for her, wished that she was the subject. It's a romantic song, a lovers song that emphasizes the female beauty and a pretty young and beautiful relationship. The video of this song was inspired on the amazing work of Erika Iris Simmons.

"When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are"

"Our First Time" (4:01) is probably my least favourite song of the album. Too but too cliché! For me there's no point of having this song here. It's way too calm to be at the beginning of the track list.
At least Mars should have put this song at the end, it would fit very well but probably the thematics aren't correct to be at the bottom so, in my opinion, this song should be off the record, specially when the song is so personal, that should be added to a single or one of Bruno Mars' EP, which would have gone better. With everyone I spoke about this song share the same opinion. It's unnecessary to the record which, in general, is pretty good.

"And now here we are (here we are),

In this big old empty room

Staring at each other,
Who's gonna make the first move?

Been doing our thing for a minute,
and now both our hearts are in it
The only place to go is all the way
Oohh, uuuhh"

"Runaway Baby" (2:27) sounds so relaxed and funny. That back guitar rocks, it's so damn strong! It makes wanting to dance and rock and roll! I enjoy this song very much. It has a few amazing ska lines, doesn't it? I really like the fresh rhythm and style. It's so funny and hilarious. A bit of irony can be notice on the song, which makes it even more enjoyable!

"I love you so

That's what you'll say
You'll tell me
Baby, baby, please don't go away
But when I play, I never stay"

"The Lazy Song" (3:14) the most perfect song for lazy people. It describes them perfectly, I am seriously impressed. When I read the title I laughed so much but after all the song is pretty relaxing and funny.
The way that the ukelele is played and the slow rhythmic drums emphasizes the hole effect. When we talk about this song it's impossible not to mention the video which is hilarious and very simple."Home made"videos style should be used more often!

"Today I don't fell like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed

Don't fell like pickin up my phone

So leave a message at the tone

'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything"

"Marry You" (3:48) Yeah! Another cliché song that trivializes the concept of getting married but still a very gorgeous love song. Fox's very known series GLEE made a marvelous version of it and only helps to show the romantic side of Mars.
The piano church gives this traditional idea of weddings that is a bit lost nowadays.
Five "Hurrah!" to Bruno Mars for bringing back the idea of wedding (except the "easy" idea of getting married that makes everything sounding too much easy).

"Is it the look in your eyes,

Or is it this dancing juice?

Who cares baby?
I think I wanna marry you"

"Talking To The Moon" (3:36) it's like he is talking to the girl he misses and wants back using the metaphor of the moon as a messenger. Gives a little mystic to the song and somehow brings a bit more light but sadness at the same time. We can feel what he is feeling, we can not stop feeling sorry for him and wishing that he has that girl back. Seems to have a little idea of a failed relationship and a self-destruction behavior.

"At night when the stars
Light up my room

I sit by myself
Talking to the moon"

"Liquor Store Blues" (3:47) this one is featuring with the song of Bob "King of Reggae" Marley, Damian Marley. The reggae style suits Bruno Mars so well! I would love to see him doing more often.
Besides the dark subject of self-destruction in this case through alcohol. Still is one of my favorites, the collaboration worked perfectly and showed the instruments that are damn stunning.

"Coz my job got me going no where

So I ain't got a thing to lose

Take me to a place where I don't care
This Is me, and my liquor store blues"

"Count on Me" (3:16) to be listen at a sunset, near a beach or at a bar with people you love. This song is about friendship and supporting each other no matter what happens.
It has a very Hawaiian sound, I could almost bet we got inspiration on a similar scenario. Gorgeous, simple and Mars show how much he is here to stay.
Not the best but in very good way to be. I must be a suspect but when Summer arrives I totally love these types of songs to relax and enjoy life with good company.
I totally suggest you to play it on your next meeting with friends and on the beach.

"If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I'll sail the world to find you

If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be the light to guide you
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need"

"The Other Side" (3:46) with the huge Cee-Lo Green and the very known B.O.B. The three separated parts are very distinguish which brings something glorious and explosive to this song.
When I heard it the first time, got stuck on the repeat mode for months! I love love the sound, the mix of this fast and correct guitar, those awesome effects and the revolutionary drums. One of the saddest things is the live version of this song, using it as a beginning and on a acoustic way it's not worth it, the song is so much better with the entire magnificent instruments.
The lyrics are so mysterious and powerful! I totally loved the collaborations and besides the song is absolutely  favorite Bruno Mars' song. The video is too simple, the passion left from this album is staying with me ALWAYS, I totally share the feelings and stuff but still there's something to be discovered.

"You know I've been waiting on the other side

And you, all you gotta do is cross the line

I could wait a whole life time
But you just gotta decide
You know I
I've been waiting on the other, waiting on the other side"

Conclusion: The album is pretty good for a beginner - noticed that Mars worked on other huge hits but never his own songs before - except for one or two songs this album would be on the top, but it's very nice, lovely and catchy and gets really stuck in your mind so it's a very good option, not the best but on the right track.

Rating: 3.5/5