All about Bruno Mars (NYT)

JUDGING BRUNO: No newcomer to the mainstream music wars is more versatile, fascinating or just-plain talented than Bruno Mars, posits the N.Y. Times’ Jon Caramanica in his introduction to the enterprising young artist/producer. The reporter hails Mars’ debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (New Elektra), released yesterday, as “an effortless, fantastically polyglot record that shows him to be a careful study across a range of pop songcraft.” Among the artists Mars references are Kanye West, Little Richard, Sade, Jason Mraz, Coldplay and U2. “This year he became the go-to guy for hip-hop melody, shaping the sound of radio,” the piece continues, referring to B.o.B’s chart-topping “Nothin’ on You” and Travie McCoy’s Top 5 “Billionaire.” Mars does his production work with Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, who call themselves the Smeezingtons, whose burgeoning discography includes their new album and such hit tracks as Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” Matisyahu’s “One Day” (used by NBC in its coverage of the Winter Olympics), and the Cee Lo viral sensation, “Fuck You.” (10/6a)