Lil Wayne's long-awaited new album, "Rebirth," is his first full-length since the multimillion-selling "Tha Carter III" in 2008, and the rapper's first attempt at recording a true rock record. Tame punk-driven guitar licks may eclipse hard basslines, but familiarity is found in Wayne's willingness to be lyrically venturesome. The adolescent angst of lead single "Prom Queen" is just one of his rudimentary musings, and on the almost suicidal-sounding "Runnin' " (featuring newcomer Shanell), he despairingly sings, "I'm runnin' out of time, I'm runnin' out of space/Feel like I'm runnin' round, but I'm runnin' in place." "Rebirth" also finds Wayne exploring speedy pop-punk rhythms ("The Price Is Wrong"), but he still favors the balancing act between Auto-Tuned wailing and unhinged MC'ing ("Paradice"). Although the cleaner melodies and pop polish seem to mute the rapper's stream-of-consciousness salvos, he still shines on "Drop the World," featuring Eminem.-Devin Chanda
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Kelly Clarkson wins.
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