JC Chasez
CRITIC'S CHOICE
After Justin Timberlake became embroiled in "Nipple-gate" at the Super Bowl, his fellow 'N Syncer JC Chasez was dumped from performing at the Pro Bowl. The organizers must have got a load of his sexed-up solo debut, which shows that while Timberlake may be the most talented and popular member of 'N Sync, Chasez might be the randiest. On the groovy synth-pop throwback "All Day Long I Dream About Sex," he chants, "All day long I dream about sex/ And all night long I think about sex." Elsewhere he angles for a threesome on the homoerotic "Some Girls (Dance with Women)," while on the throbbing "Come to Me" he espouses the joys of solo sex. That may be too much information for some 'N Sync fans, who might not be ready to see the former Mouseketeer wave "Bye Bye Bye" to his goody-goody image.
While the risqué results here fall short of Timberlake's excellent solo breakthrough Justified, Chasez, 27, avoids the teen-pop wasteland that trapped albums by other boy-band alums such as Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys and Nick Lachey of 98°. Just as Timberlake seemed to channel Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson on Justified, Chasez evokes early Prince with his '80s keyboard riffs and cheeky, falsetto-tinged delivery—not to mention his dirty mind—on songs like the delirious "100 Ways." The singer, who cowrote 16 of 17 tracks, also looks back by borrowing from B.T. Express's 1974 funk hit "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" on "Shake It," Donna Summer's 1977 disco classic "I Feel Love" on "One Night Stand" and Corey Hart's 1984 pop gem "Sunglasses at Night" on "Come to Me." Although the CD includes a few 'N Sync-ish ballads, such as "Build My World," Chasez proves to be surprisingly eclectic, even convincingly getting busy on the reggae jam "Everything You Want." He may be Schizophrenic, but at least that makes him versatile.
POP
Harry Connick Jr.
Aaron Neville did it. So did Rod Stewart. There's nothing novel about Harry Connick Jr. recording a disc of pop standards for this solid but unsurprising set. Whether he is crooning tunes associated with Glenn Miller ("My Prayer"), the Flamingos ("I Only Have Eyes for You") or Nat King Cole ("My Blue Heaven"), the singer-pianist evokes the soundtrack of your grandparents' lives. Only offers a big-band feel, swinging sax solos and atmospheric strings plucked and bowed through smart, lush arrangements.
Accented by a samba beat or a drummer's brushwork on cymbals, cuts like "More" and "The Very Thought of You" heat up the romance, though only to about the level of a glass of warm milk before bedtime. And Connick would have been wise to avoid "For Once in My Life" and "You Don't Know Me," songs that have already been so memorably performed by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, respectively. Despite such missteps, though, when set against today's digital, fast-food culture these retro songs are timeless.
POP/JAZZ
Starsailor
Attention, Coldplay fans: If you're looking for some brooding Brit pop to tide you over until the next disc from Chris Martin and company, check out the latest by Starsailor. On its second album this quartet from Wigan, England, keeps cruising the same melancholy and melodic waters it visited on 2002's noteworthy debut, Love Is Here. Helming this ship for two tracks is legendary producer Phil Spector, who worked with the original British fab four, the Beatles, on 1970's Let It Be. Producing for the first time in more than 20 years, Spector took Starsailor to London's Abbey Road Studios, where the Beatles also recorded part of Let It Be, to lay down the driving title tune and the string-laden ballad "White Dove." (Spector has since been charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson at his home near L.A.) Elsewhere, Starsailor, led by singer-songwriter James Walsh, picks up the tempo on the anthemic opener "Music Was Saved" and the dramatic dance track "Four to the Floor," which juxtaposes a sweeping orchestral arrangement with a shuffling hip hop beat. On these numbers Starsailor successfully navigates out of mopey mode.
POP-ROCK
Dizzee Rascal
"Queen Elizabeth don't know me, so how can she control me/ When I live street and she lives neat," raps British hip-hopper Dizzee Rascal on "2 Far," off his freshman CD, which won the U.K.'s prestigious Mercury Music Prize for best album last year. Hardcore rap fans in the U.S., however, are about as likely to embrace Rascal (real name: Dylan Mills) as Prince William is to go clubbing with 50 Cent. While Rascal's futuristic sound is innovative, with edgy electronica beats that can make you feel as if you're inside a video game, it doesn't come off as real, unlike his gritty rhymes. The 19-year-old, who grew up on the streets of East London, is also hard to understand at times, rhyming with a thick British accent.
To American ears, it can seem veddy proper, not what we really want from a rapper. Still, you have to give Rascal props for what is surely one of the most original discs to hit this side of the pond in some time. He may never make it big over here, but then again neither has Robbie Williams.
ELECTRO-RAP
Amel Larrieux
With her nuanced neo-soul stylings and less-is-more delivery, Amel Larrieux is the anti-Beyoncé. She fills her latest with subtle pleasures made for candlelight romancing rather than bootylicious prancing. Lush, sensual midtempo grooves showcase her supple soprano, which can soar to Mariah Carey-like heights. The New York City native, who cowrote all 12 tracks with her producer-husband, Laru Larrieux, glides between genres, incorporating jazz, house, funk and African rhythms. She also displays a delicate touch on the acoustic ballad "Sacred," plaintively pondering, "Is there nothing sacred anymore/Well maybe there never was, at all."
R&B
En Vogue
En Vogue has never been the same since the funkiest diva, Dawn Robinson, left the influential R&B girl group in 1997 to pursue a solo career. Also missing from the act's new disc is original member Maxine Jones, who has been replaced with singer-actress Rhona Bennett (The Jamie Foxx Show). Un-fortunately there's nothing on this come-back attempt that can touch early-'90s En Vogue hits like "Hold On," "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Free Your Mind." Despite some mediocre material, though, it's still good to hear those tight vocal arrangements and gorgeous harmonies again. Their voices shine on numbers like the club-ready single "Ooh Boy" and the sumptuous slow jam "Careful." After famously remaking "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" on 1992's Funky Divas, En Vogue pays homage to another Curtis Mayfield classic, "Let's Do It Again," on the breezily soulful "Everyday." Even so, one hopes that Robinson will return soon and truly bring this group back into vogue.
R&B
Mindy Smith
Waify, wispy and whiney, country-folk newcomer Mindy Smith, 31, is too prone to self-pity. The Long Island native's first disc, for which she wrote 11 of 12 songs, is a litany of woe. She's "so broken I didn't notice" on "Raggedy Ann." She was "born at the bottom" on "Fighting for It All." And she's "blind-sided and deceived and chained to the floor" on "Angel Doves." At least Smith employs some talented backup musicians, like guitarist Will Kimbrough, and wisely includes her "Jolene" duet with Dolly Parton, which appeared on last year's Parton tribute disc Just Because I'm a Woman. However, not even Parton's artistry can relieve Smith's tiresome tone.
COUNTRY-FOLK
Jai Rodriguez Looking for a musical makeover for your next event? We asked the resident Culture Vulture from Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which has its own new soundtrack in stores, for his fab recommendations.
ROMANTIC EVENING Norah Jones or Diana Krall. Something to make the mood a little sweet and sexy. Both of these artists make lovemaking music. Ricky Martin or Britney Spears is just the wrong answer.
DINNER PARTY You want music that is mellow and smooth and a vehicle for conversation. Right now I love Peter Cincotti, whose new [self-titled] album has got a pop-jazz sort of feel. I also love great old stuff, like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone.
FAMILY FUNCTION I'd put on Justin Timberlake or Kylie Minogue or anything that falls into the happy-pop category. Really you can pick any artist who is fun, fresh and simple.
HOUSE PARTY I love, love, love the Black Eyed Peas at the moment. House parties are also good times to put on Beyoncé and OutKast mixed with the new Missy Elliott [This Is Not a Test!].
- Contributors:
- Chuck Arnold,
- V.R. Peterson,
- Ralph Novak,
- Hope Hamashige.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
