How I Do

by Richie UnterbergerRes' first album is a competent and accomplished, and not great, crossover of soul, pop, rock, and some hip-hop-type beats. The songs sometimes go into more ambitious and meaningful territory than many such efforts, addressing the shallowness of media images in "Golden Boys." Mostly it's about relationships, however, though there's more ambiguity to keep the interest aroused than is the norm for contemporary R&B. Her voice is likably cocky, and the production diverse and inventive, keeping a pop base even on the tracks most soaked in beats and rhythm, and using a good amount of funky guitars. The closer, "Say It Anyway" (not listed on the sleeve), is far more rock-oriented than anything else on the disc; with its buzzing guitars and hook-riddled chorus, it sounds (unlike the rest of the CD) made to order for modern rock radio airplay.