Rich’s Gentle Ballads Could Use More Fire

Like Babyface, singer-songwriter-producer Tony Rich makes genteel contemporary R&B; that stresses devotion over infatuation and romance over lust. On his second album--which was co-produced by Rich, Babyface and the latter’s old partner, L.A. Reid--Rich uses the same general approach that distinguished his 1996 platinum debut, “Words,” fitting sincere ruminations on love and spirituality into elegant, predominantly acoustic arrangements.

At the same time, the singer makes an obvious effort to expand his musical palette, both by incorporating textures ranging from funk to country and by pushing his lithe tenor voice to new technical and emotional depths.

That said, Rich’s songs don’t exactly bubble with energy. The first single, “Silly Man,” has the same gently insinuating rhythmic and melodic structure as his breakthrough hit, “Nobody Knows.” And ballads such as “My Stomach Hurts” and “If You’re an Angel,” with their graceful touches of acoustic guitar, are sweetly haunting.

But after a while, this procession of soothing, slow-to mid-tempo numbers can seem a bit staid and monotonous. That Rich is a talented, mature young man capable of great feeling is beyond question, but perhaps getting in touch with his more playful side--and his hormones--might not be a bad idea.

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four stars (excellent).

*

Hear the Music

* Excerpts from these albums and other recent releases are available on The Times’ World Wide Web site. Point your browser to: https://www.latimes.com/soundclips