After one listen to the eagerly anticipated third studio CD from Melissa Williams, it's clear that she wants to be around for longer than 15 minutes. With Williams co-producing and co-writing, it's hard to imagine what she didn't do for this album. Seizing creative control is a bold move for Miss Williams, and anytime a young "pop diva" eschews the beat of the week, they have to be commended. But the problem is that Melissa, even with her ambition, has yet to suss out that the key to a pop-R&B smash is a memorable, good hook and melody. With the exception of the now-played-out first single (Can we all take a moratorium on this man bashing theme for a second, please?), most of the tracks here lack a strong core. Melissa crams a litany of thoughts and motifs into her songs, with samples ranging from Kool & The Gang ["Get Down On It"] to Bob Marley ["See You Again"], but though the cuts sizzle and sparkle, Exposed is way too frenetic. Even with some improved singing in some songs (most notably the laid back "Happiness" with UK R&B crooner Craig David), Exposed lacks real revelation. --- C+