Entertainment, Music - Army Times

Listen Up reviews: Flo Rida, Keith Urban, UGK, Gavin DeGraw

Flo Rida

‘R.O.O.T.S. (Route of Overcoming the Struggle)’

3 stars out of four

Flo Rida seems to have a knack for getting a nation under his groove. After urging masses of clubgoers last year to get “Low” on the dance floor, he’s turning heads again with the download record-busting “Right Round” from his new album,

He’s perfected his formula of infectious beats, frisky lyrics and catchy choruses. As he did on last year’s “Mail on Sunday,” Flo Rida enlists a legion of stars that includes Nelly Furtado, Akon, Ne-Yo and Wyclef Jean. Still, the appeal is rooted in his own charisma, intensity and enthusiasm.

A few tracks — notably “Shone,” with Pleasure P — have a grittier feel to them, though merrymaking is the overarching theme of his pop-flavored sonic concoctions.

The 29-year-old Carol City, Fla., rapper, who long toiled in obscurity before hitting the big time, is mindful of his hard-earned success. He talks about his struggles on opener “Finally Here,” and later on the title track and contemplative “Never.” But largely, he keeps the party hot with single-and-ready-to-mingle rump-shakers.

Whether that means bigger album sales for “R.O.O.T.S” than “Mail on Sunday” remains to be seen. But he’s loaded up on bangers to pack dance floors for months.

— Steve Jones

Download: “Right Round,” “Shone,” “Sugar,” “Jump,” “Be One You,” “Available”

Skip: “Mind on My Money”

Keith Urban

‘Defying Gravity’

3 stars

His voice may skew young and frisky, but Urban is 41 and a daddy, after all, and sounds less than convincing on the featherweight innocent-in-love material. He’s far more engaging when yearning for the past (“’Til Summer Comes Around”) and confessing his failings and devotion (“Thank You”). Next time, a tad more gravitas, please.

— Jerry Shriver

Download: “Thank You,” “’Til Summer Comes Around,” “My Heart Is Open”

Skip: “Standing Right in Front of You”

UGK

‘UGK 4 Life’

3 stars

This album caps the career of Port Arthur, Texas, group Underground Kingz, whose gritty rhymes over thick slabs of funk influenced Southern rap for years. Pimp C died of an overdose in 2007, and partner Bun B gives him a fitting send-off. It pays tribute simply by being vintage UGK.

— Steve Jones

Download: “Da Game Been Good to Me,” “Purse Come First”

Skip: “Hard As Hell”

Gavin DeGraw

‘Free’

3 stars

One way to judge singer/songwriters is to see if there’s a tolerable ratio of vocal affectations to lyrical and melodic content. DeGraw’s haunting, bluesy drawl sometimes overwhelms this earnest, soulful-ish material. But when the annoyances are gone — as on “Why Do the Men Stray,” a meditation on war and violence — the balance is beautiful.

— Jerry Shriver

Download: “Lover Be Strong,” “Free”

Skip: “Waterfall,” “Dancing Shoes”