Happy People-U Saved Me

R. Kelly’s been accused of nasty deeds with an underage girl, so we hardly blame him for wanting to polish his image. His new double album transforms the former predatory R&B sex machine into a cheerful, God-loving choirboy. Guess which one we’d rather listen to? Happy People is filled with pathologically upbeat tunes like “It’s Your Birthday” and “Steppin’ Into Heaven”; U Saved Me is straight-up gospel. Kelly’s lyrics have always leaned toward corny, but here they’re rarely even supported by decent grooves. “Happy People” does an OK job updating the smooth vibe of '70s soul classics, but his Sesame Street moralizing sounds absurd. And if you were hoping a guest verse from one of Kelly’s buddies like Jay-Z or Kanye West might liven things up, no dice. With the exception of the soul plodder “3-Way Phone Call,” which features Kelly Price and Kim Burrell offering sisterly advice, these albums are all R., all the time. We don’t begrudge him his newfound happiness and spirituality, but from now on he can keep it to himself.