Wale signed with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group earlier this year – that should tell you enough. Rick Ross and most acts associated with him have a rather distinct sound in the production and presentation of the songs and albums that they release, and where Wale used to be in a league far, far away from that sound, he has now become a part of the Rick Ross crew. In "90210" off "Attention Deficit," Wale says the line "So pretentious with no potential" – those are his own words and, funnily enough, are the best way to describe "Ambition."

The record starts off on a decent note. The first three songs – "Don't Hold Your Applause," "Double M Genius," and "Miami Nights" – are good listenable songs, but they all blend into each other. They all use the same fake-horns/synthesizer backbeat that would make the three songs sound like a single track, were there no pauses in between. "Legendary" comes as a welcome respite from the generic sound of the previous songs, but isn't much higher on the scale in terms of quality compared to its predecessors. In the chorus of "Legendary," Wale raps, "F*** fame, f*** money, f*** everything anyone can take from me." Um, really? Is that why this album would be put under the "Sellout" genre at the record store? He claims he's "just trying to be legendary." Well, how about a B- for Effort, Wale.

Thankfully, this is not an album that gets progressively worse as it goes on; if anything, it slowly gets better and better. "Lotus Flower Bomb" is his version of a love song (I guess), and "Chain Music" finally offers a more distinguishing beat. "Focused" features enemy-turned-comrade Kid Cudi, but he's only singing the chorus, as if he's now become some kind of R&B hook diva. Where's your verse, Cudi? Regardless, "Focused" is like the rest of the songs so far – good. Not horrible, but not amazing.

"Sabatoge" offers an extremely welcome breath of fresh air and is more of a throwback to a time when Wale was, you know, different. The song has a retro feel and uses real horns for an all-out old school R&B vibe. Big Sean joins Wale on "Slight Work," a total standout on the record for its jerkin' style and innovative beat that incorporates a police siren into the rhythm. The album plateaus after this and doesn't pick up until "DC Or Nothing," a song that makes you think "Finally, a great song!" The same is said for "That Way" – "Finally, a great song!" And then... oh look – just when it was picking up, the album's over.

Does Rick Ross have some totally rad fraternity that requires people to pledge by losing their edge and becoming shells of their former selves? Maybe he has the best parties, the best girls, the best resources. Or maybe he promises to allow the aspiring candidates to join the most popular clique in rap school. I mean, how the hell did "bawwse" Rick Ross become the head of the popular crew? Because yeah, Wale's got the popularity and exposure now, but at what cost?

It's not necessarily that the songs are horrible or that "Ambition" is the worst album to come out this year – it's just that Wale could have done much better, an assumption that is based on the quality of his debut album. "Ambition" is decent in the grand scheme of things, but is a completely disappointing 180 from Wale's "Attention Deficit." That album had virtually no bad songs – it was full of unique and refreshing beats, tight flows, socially aware lyrics, and lots of soul. But because of his 'ambition,' Wale took that soul, sold it all to Rick Ross, and put out this album. Maybe it's good, maybe it will be popular – I hope it is, because it cost him everything that made him distinctive. But as popular as "Ambition" may be, the album is nothing compared to his debut. That album made him stand out – this one blends him in with the rest of the current rap acts. There's no passion, no fire, no true ambition like there was in "Attention Deficit." Instead of evolving or even staying the same, Wale has slightly devolved his sound. All that's remained is his flow – Wale is still a great, better-than-most rapper, and hopefully that won't change.

It's disappointing because Wale could have done so much better and offered so much more, but the way it looks is that he preferred to be mainstream. The album doesn't fail by any means, but it doesn't even come close to the potential that Wale set up for himself with this previous record; "Ambition" is underwhelmingly decent. Wale raps in the title track, "They gonna love me for my ambition"; ambition can be an admirable quality, Mr Wale, but it's usually loved when it doesn't involve dropping everything that made you unique to go join forces and fight crime with Rick Ross. Maybe I won't hold the applause, but all Wale's getting from me is a golf clap.

For more articles like ALL FOR THE “AMBITION”: Wale Disappoints with Underwhelming New Album please visit the Music/Album Reviews Section of TimesSquare.com