In Brief

*** Speech, “Hoopla,” TVT. With his second solo set, the former Arrested Development leader nearly recaptures the earthy, soulful atmosphere that propelled his group to stardom in 1992. Speech’s falsetto is more captivating than his rapping, which sometimes sounds forced, as he relates stories of simple living, relationship dynamics and hope for a healthier society. A comfortable, funky mix of guitars, keyboards and backup singing gives the album a relaxed feel.

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