The-Dream's new album is a hit

The-Dream collaborates with names like Mariah Carey, Ludacris and Kanye West.

By Derek Reagan

Published March 12, 2009

The man responsible for hits like "Single Ladies" and "Umbrella," The-Dream aka Mr. Radio Killa, is back for his sophomore effort, Love vs Money.

With his contributions to quite a few of today's radio hits, it is hard to say he has been away, but the time between definitely shows in the improvement from his first album to the current release. It's refreshing to hear an R&B album that isn't chock-full of Auto-Tune (a la T-Pain), and The-Dream proves he doesn't need it.

Love vs Money is one of the better R&B albums I've heard. It is lined with hit after hit and it could easily be the best album of the opening months of 2009.

The first single "Rockin' That Shit" starts the album off with a bang. The simplistic yet addictive hook is complemented by the synths. The track is produced by The-Dream's collaborator Chris "Tricky" Stewart, who is given production credits on eight of the 14 tracks. If you can't get enough of this track, make sure you check out the official remix featuring Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross and Ludacris.

"Walkin' on the Moon" is a favorite of the album and one of the most creative. The song features futuristic sounds like a variety of warbling and eclectic synths that could only take place in outer space. Kanye West puts down the Auto-Tune and picks up the microphone to add a guest verse with admiring lines like " I swear god must have made lightning strike/and I bottled it up."

Another couple of notable tracks featuring guests are "My Love" featuring Mariah Carey and "Let Me See the Booty" featuring Lil Jon. As one can imagine the two tracks' themes are polar opposites with "My Love" being the gentle love ballad and "Let Me See the Booty" being a catchy club banger that may be a sign of Lil Jon's resurgence into the spotlight.

The album doesn't stop there. The-Dream has another slow jam with "Put It Down." The slow bass line is complemented by The-Dream's range of vocals and the percussion provided by the mix of a shaker and drum. "If they ask you if I can sing like Usher/Say no, but I can make you sing like Mariah." Dream shows off his own creativeness on the microphone.

"Sweat It Out" is the lovemaking anthem of the album and has The-Dream doing his best R. Kelly impression. The slow, pulsing song features some of his quirkiest lyrics. "Take U Home 2 My Mama" is in the same vein as "Rockin' That Shit." The heavy synth song is sure to dominate radio play as a single.

The album is a must-buy for any fan of pop or R&B. Most if not all of the songs could garner radio play.