Slacker MC needs more schooling.

When his juvenile yet catchy single "I Love College” went viral as it made its rounds through hip hop blogs and social networking sites, 22-year-old Asher Roth found himself heir to the throne of rap's next great white hope. Roth's debut CD, Asleep in the Bread Aisle, keeps this hope from being realized, however, as his mother-pleasing, inoffensive and semi-witty lyrics, combined with average beats, fall a little short.

He may sound like Eminem, but that's where the similarities end. Unlike the controversial, ever-bitter MC (to which Roth pays respect on “As I Em”), Roth focuses his attention on having fun, slacking off and generally being a nice, conscious kid. It's a refreshing approach, particularly when mainstream rappers these days seem to be fixated on extreme frivolities, but the slacker's effort (or lack thereof) does this record in. Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? No.