Part of the fun of "Waiting for My Rocket to Come," Jason Mraz [ tickets ]'s 2002 debut, was his white-boy funk and his rap-inspired, tongue-tied vocal technique. Although his deft songwriting is intact on his sophomore studio effort, "Mr. A-Z," his trademark spunky vocals and funk are lost.

Self-confidence, a newfound love--rumored to be Virgin recording artist Tristan Prettyman--and traveling are running themes throughout the new, 12-song album, produced by Steve Lillywhite (Dave Matthews Band, U2).

"Mr. A-Z" begins on a weak note with the sparse ballad "Life is Wonderful," which features simplistic lyrics straight outta "Sesame Street." Thankfully, Mraz's trademark, ever-cheeky wordplay returns with the appropriately titled "Wordplay" as well as the sexually charged and funky "Geek in the Pink."

While the first half of the album is fun and playful, the rest is introspective and lovelorn. The stripped-down "Mr. Curiosity" is an earnest ballad about the "mystery" of love that features a curious, operatic interlude--a talent that Mraz showed off during recent performances opening for Alanis Morissette.

Spanish rhythms replace the hip-hop influence in songs such as "Bella Luna" and "O Lover." "Plane Goes Down" travels from lullaby-esque to commanding, closing with an explosion of Mraz's vocal range.

As Mraz sings in "Wordplay, "sophomore slump is an uphill battle," and "Mr. A-Z" is one of those albums that takes a few listens to really sink in. And though "Mr. A-Z" represents a slight stumble, Mraz is forging a good fight.