CeeLo Green—Heart Blanche (Atlantic Records, 2015)
Heart Blanche seems to be CeeLo Green’s version of an open house. He invites the listener into his world, one filled with a modern gospel-like vibe and pumping tunes, featuring a mix of melancholy and upbeat lyrics. The record strikes a nice balance between storytelling and songs to boogie to, with “Better Late Than Never” being a standout. In an effort to redeem himself, CeeLo reminds his audience that we all make mistakes and all have our share of embarrassing stories. Even with heartfelt lyrics and a personal touch however, Heart Blanche struggles to offer anything significant enough to draw listeners back for more.
Trial Track: “Robin Williams”
6/10