Bubba Sparxxx: The Charm : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Since Georgia-born Warren Anderson Mathis released his cracking 2003 album Deliverance, he's both split from longtime producer Timbaland and seen his status as the South's pre-eminent paunchy-'n-pasty-faced MC scooped by Houston grille master Paul Wall. On "Ain't Life Grand," the one truly great song on album number three, Sparxxx addresses these changes. "I'm gettin' sick of banjos and fiddle shit," he says over a unique track comprising spare electric piano and a ticking clock, calmly rejecting Timbaland's country touches of yore before obliquely acknowledging the chart-topping Wall with the line "I'll prob'ly never be a number-one seller." Sadly, the rest of The Charm isn't nearly as charming. "Your chest is just whatever/I found a buried treasure," Sparxxx barks on "Ms. New Booty," his attention straying south. Not only is that lead single the zillionth song this year in praise of strippers, its whispered verses by Ying-Yang Twins and Mr. Collipark's one bass-note beat further suggest Sparxxx is trying to fit new rims on retreads. "Run Away," featuring junior crooner Frankie J, is a flaccid ballad straight outta Uncle Kracker's cornfield, and "Heat It Up," another Mr. Collipark-produced club track, is even more unimpressive than the first. Though newly aligned with Big Boi's Purple Ribbon stable, Bubba Sparxxx appears only able to follow for now.