Ciara occupies a unique place among contemporary R&B’s female elite. She seems more human than Rihanna but isn’t as gritty as, say, Mary J. Blige. Several of her past hits — Goodies, Like a Boy — are memorable but haven’t resulted in career-defining moments a la Beyoncé’s Irreplaceable.
Fantasy Ride,Ciara’s oft-delayed third disc, probably won’t give her the signature hit she needs to cement her superstar status. But the album, online and in stores today, is a consistently slick and engaging listen. Several of the songs have an alternately retro/futuristic R&B feel, and there’s an old-school Janet Jackson vibe to some tracks (Lover’s Thing, the alluringKeep Dancin’ on Me).
Several guests — Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Ludacris — add A-list shimmer without eclipsing Ciara’s own flirty personality. It results in some maximum hip-pop wattage.
Ciara to the Stage proves a slinky, sexy introduction. “Don’t be afraid to scream my name,” she purrs. It’s both an ode to fans and a call to a specific lover from the singer, who was born at Darnell Army Community Hospital in Fort Hood and spent time in Austin.
Of the collaborations, the best are Fantasy Ride’s first two singles. Young Jeezy provides an appealingly gruff counterpoint during the Polow da Don-produced Never Ever, which plays like a female spin on hits from R. Kelly or Usher.
Current single Love Sex Magic pairs Ciara with Justin Timberlake and has finally given the album some crossover traction.
Superstar duets are often better as ideas than actual songs. Both sides are so concerned with showcasing themselves that the entire thing falls flat. But this is an easy, effortless listen, buoyed by a disco-licious groove and the pair’s fluid chemistry.
High Priceboasts Ludacris, a thundering crunk beat and Ciara adopting a Prince-like falsetto. (“Bootie look softer than a McDonald’s hamburger bun,” she boasts.)Lover’s Thingfinds her making like Mariah (sexy, airy coos) alongside R&B songwriter The-Dream. Any of these pairings could be substantial hits.
Workreunites Ciara with longtime partner Missy Elliott for a frenetic club track. It’s a welcome blast of energy — and will probably result in some killer choreography — but it’s too reminiscent of past Ciara/Elliott hits (1, 2 Step,Lose Control). A little variation would have made for a more dynamic tune.
Turntables boasts a clever bit of wordplay but — thanks to duet partner Chris Brown — suffers from unfortunate timing. Even listening to a few lines proves uncomfortable.
Ciara does manage a few effective solo moments, including the electro-edged Pucker Up and G Is for Girl (A-Z), which benefits from a cocky vocal swagger. Like a Surgeon, however, muddles things up with too many silly metaphors. (“My love’s like anesthesia.”) Weird Al, anyone?
Disc closer I Don’t Remember, co-written by Ne-yo, is the disc’s strangest moment — a morning-after recollection from the previous night’s drunken party. (“What did I say to him last night/I can’t feel my face/Try to focus but my mind ain’t right.”) The details get clearer but the song eventually trails off, with no resolution.
The story, it seems, is still being written — a fitting phrase for Ciara’s own musical evolution.
joey.guerra@chron.com
