A few years ago, when this album was released, I remember seeing Thicke appear on Oprah and sing `Complicated', and while I liked the song I found Thicke to have that arrogant presence that I find so off-putting (like a Caucasian Jamie Foxx) and so I pulled away from any association with his music. I just heard this cockiness in his voice and it annoyed me.

I'm over that now.

The thing is, Robin is confident (and why shouldn't he be). That confidence can read as arrogance, but the music should really be allowed to speak for itself, and `The Evolution of Robin Thicke' speaks volumes.

Like my review title says, this is music to make love to. With slick beats, silky falsettos and lyrics that run the gamut of sexuality, Robin Thicke is all for the lovemaking. What I appreciate about this album is that he never really ventures into tacky territory (one complaint I had with Jamie Foxx's album). Even on songs like `Teach U A Lesson', Thicke croons with such vulnerable tenderness you can't help but take him seriously.

In fact, the album really only makes one outright false move for me, and that is on `Everything I Can't Have'. This is a shame, because the musical arrangement for the song is one of my favorites on the album. I think my wife said it best when she said "it's sad when the music is far better than the lyrical content". That is the case here, for the song is sloppy and shallow.

Vocally, Thicke doesn't make a bad move here for me. His voice is beautifully controlled on all counts. He has a breathy airiness to his voice that reminds me of Justin Timberlake.

The album opens VERY strong, with `Got 2 Be Down' featuring the brilliant Faith Evans. Thicke has three other collaborations here, one with Pharrell (the infectious `Wanna Love U Girl') and two with Lil' Wayne. I, for one, think that Lil' Wayne makes everything better, and I love what he brings to `All Night Long', but I feel that `Shooter' is an incomplete effort. It just seems like an idea that didn't quite work as well as they wanted it to. The fact that it is followed by the brilliant `Cocaine' further points out its flaws. `Cocaine' has such a funky and nearly succulent vibe.

Thicke is the master of seductive ballads, and he makes that fully evident on over half of this album. Songs like the delicate `Complicated' and the brilliant `Lost Without You' (my favorite track on the album BY FAR) are quick to bring any girl to her knees and help us men get a crack at that (hehe). `I Need Love' is sincere and honest, and `Teach U A Lesson' is so cheesy it is actually sexy.

Songs like `Would That Make U Love', `Ask Myself' and `Can You Believe' are good but familiar.

And then you have the three closing tracks, all of which are just sensational. `2 The Sky' is tender, gentle and moving. The smoky texture to the three closing ballads is just brilliantly used to exploit Thicke's talent. `Lonely World' is a sweet and earnest look at young ambitions and the need to reach for your dreams. The way Thicke unveils himself here is pure and just caresses you. The man that once came off as arrogant and cold bleeds for the listener with a soft and sincere understanding that cannot be understated. The closing track, `Angels', is just phenomenal. So sweet and beautifully sung (that voice is like silk). I don't see the need for the three minute overture at the end but whatever; it's pretty if a tad unnecessary.

So, I am in love with this album, this artist, this passionate musical experience and highly recommend this album, this artist, this passionate musical experience to any and everyone.