Chris Brown

Graffiti

Jive Records

Rocks like: Ne-Yo, an artist avoiding the pink… Chris Brown

Graffiti

Jive Records

Rocks like: Ne-Yo, an artist avoiding the pink elephant in the room

Grade: C+

If his latest album — his third — is any indication, Chris Brown isn’t letting his status as a convicted felon, from the Rihanna assault incident in February, affect his music.

Graffiti is practically indistinguishable from his two previous albums, and while that basically means it’s a more of the same mid-tempo R&B jams and obnoxious club-bangers, it’s disheartening that such a moderately talented artist couldn’t bring himself to draw on his experiences to create something more meaningful.

While the incident isn’t completely devoid of references to Rihanna — “Famous Girl” is a name-dropping ode to her that offensively skirts the incident — there are too many forgettable tracks that Brown uses to show off his velvety, if boring, baritenor.

“I.Y.A.” is an overly autotuned attempt channeling Michael Jackson, and “Pass Out,” featuring Eva Simmons, samples Eric Prydz’s “Call on Me,” and proves annoying before the first chorus.

The Lil Wayne collaboration “I Can Transform Ya” — also the first single — is admittedly infectious, as is its club-banging twin, “Wait.” Full of substance? Of course not, but at least they’re fun. “Sing Like Me” also stands out as the best of the ballads.

The album’s superficial flaws are no more evident, however, than in “Lucky Me,” a synthesized derivation on the “being famous is not all it’s cracked up to be” rant.

“Even though I’m so damaged / I gotta pick myself up and perform for the crowd / Lucky me,” he whines.

You’re an extremely successful musical artist and you’re complaining that you have to own up to your fame when you are “damaged,” presumably from facing a media sh*tstorm because of your assault charges? Come on.

Unfortunately, Chris Brown missed his opportunity to make us feel like the lucky ones by putting this bland record out.

“I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz”