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Chivalry is very much alive in the world of Avant's latest love fest Director, but with a closer listening, one realizes it could have been a great album if it weren't for the marketing monster machine behind it.

Exactly whose bright idea was it to drop the album's lead single "4 Minutes," a desperate attempt to salvage a relationship, in time for Valentine's Day? And exactly what is up with the strange "urban remix" of "Stickwitu" with the Pussycat Dolls? And just WTF is Lil Wayne doing on the sex ode "You Know What?" Was that really supposed to make sense? Or was it just stuck in there to move more units?

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Despite these bizarre choices, the Cleveland, Ohio native's artistry shines for the most part as he establishes the next level of his maturity. The singer who told us he's looking for a serious girlfriend, takes the helm of producer on this his fourth studio album, and manages to be vulnerable while maintaining control. He extolls the virtues of chivalry on "This is Your Night," a tightly delivered and brilliantly written piece that raises the bar. "So Many Ways" manages to satisfy both new and old school sensibilities while "Exclusive" featuring Lloyd Banks salvages the crooner's street cred that he might have lost with the lyrics: "I'd rather chill at home with you, than to hang out with my boys, cause you're the truth" in "With You." "Grown Ass Man" proves the singer is just that, an adult more than ready to do some adult things. ("I'm gonna give it you like I'm fresh out of jail.")

Oh, yeah.

At the end of a long day, Avant's Director in the mix might be just what is needed to get those fires burning in the bedroom. Or maybe even on the kitchen counter.

Download:  "Director" "This is Your Night" "So Many Ways" "Exclusive"  "Grown Ass Man" 

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