For much of the decade, Chris Bridges has starred as an action figure in the Fast & Furious movie serials. Now Ludacris wants his old “number one spot” back. “I shot five movies the fans said “This album’s overdue/ And if you don’t put some music out these niggas gone be over you,’” he raps on “In My Life.” He’s using Burning Bridges as a diary, and every songs is about how the public views him, whether it’s the ex-girlfriends in “Good Lovin’,” or the haters in the club on “Money.” The tracks carries serious intentions and celebrity wattage, like country singer Jason Aldean on the title track, Miguel on “Good Lovin’,” and scandal-scarred CeeLo Green on “Problems.” Missing are the corny punch lines and goofy but lovable antics that defined him over a decade ago. Perhaps Burning Bridges is a po-faced attempt to convince himself and us of his relevance. “Somebody said I’m washed up,” he says on the “Intro.” “I told ‘em pass me the lotion.”

(Rhapsody)