V3

Sounds like … the tight, sisterly harmonies of Out of Eden and Mary Mary with a splash of the sassy vibe of BeyoncéAt a glance … while it's clear the ladies of V3 can sing, there isn't much else to keep listeners intrigued for the long haulTrack Listing Let Go Love Makes the World Beautiful I Need You Take Me There Irreplaceable Close to You Have You Ever? Take the Time Let's Take It Thank You

Ever fall prey to the calorie-ridden, but far-too-scrumptious-to-pass-up desserts behind the counter of your favorite restaurant? You know the kind you resolved you wouldn't eat beforehand, but in a moment of weakness you had to try? Well, isn't it funny sometimes how that sure-to-be-amazing sugar fix didn't taste as appealing as it looked, essentially making the splurge not really worth it? In the same way, this debut from R&B trio V3 debut leaves me with that equally empty feeling. Sure, it sounds catchy with plenty of progressive hip-hop beats and stellar production quality. But despite these positive attributes, there isn't enough take-away value to leave you completely satisfied.

While the group—comprised of sisters LaToya, Sacha and Shelly Vinson—certainly has an enviable knack for vocal harmony, the generic Hallmark card sentiments of songs like "Let Go," "I Need You" and "Close to You" don't do their voices justice. And while I'm sure these Atlanta natives have more to say, given their stated hope "to be real with their audience," it's difficult to tell because they don't invest enough of themselves in the lyrics. Who exactly are these women, and what personal experiences do they bring to the table? These are things worth knowing, especially when being introduced for the first time.

Despite the lackluster nature of the majority of these songs' messages, however, there are a few bright spots. On the jazzy-sounding "Irreplaceable," the group tackles the always-applicable topic of making your faith your own. On a side note, Shelley adds a well-executed rap to the mix, which is a cool touch. Another highlight is a track written by Debbie Winans called "Let's Take It." With a great funk vibe and lyrical conviction, it's unfortunate that it's been relegated to the album's closing spot. Yet, it provides another fitting example of the group's potential if given the right material to work with.