REVIEWED BY CHUCK ARNOLD
CRITIC'S CHOICE
RAP/R&B
After his 2003 hit single "Frontin'," two discs with N.E.R.D. and countless cameos, it was inevitable that mega-producer Pharrell Williams would pull a Kanye West and release a solo album. On the long-awaited In My Mind, Pharrell actually one-ups West: He raps and sings, and while he isn't particularly great at doing either—his slow-jam croon won't scare Usher—it hardly matters with his dope bag of studio tricks. On his own, Pharrell gets to stretch out sonically on tracks like the jazzy, Jamie Cullum-assisted "You Can Do It Too." He also receives all-star support from some artists he has produced, including Jay-Z, Nelly and Gwen Stefani, as well as West, who shows up on the catchy single "Number One." But on cuts like the autobiographical "Best Friend," In My Mind really succeeds in allowing you to get inside Pharrell's head.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Angel"
Bird on a Wire
ALT-POP
On her 2004 debut disc Little Things, Toby Lightman demonstrated that she was no small talent. This rewarding follow-up continues to shine a light on the singer-songwriter's knack for making rich, soulful pop. Lightman remains hard to pigeonhole on Bird on a Wire; she smoothly glides from the gospel-tinged opener "Don't Wake Me" to the bluesy stomper "Don't Let Go" and the wistful, folk-inflected ballad "I'd Be Lost." First single "Holding Me Down," which showcases Lightman's guitar-playing skills and earthy, raspy vocals, brings to mind the rootsy, funky vibe of KT Tunstall's recent hit "Black Horse & the Cherry Tree."
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Holding Me Down"
Get Used to It
R&B
Like Rufus without Chaka Khan, the Brand New Heavies were never the same without soulful singer N'Dea Davenport, who left the pioneering British acid-jazz outfit after two albums—and hits like 1991's still-smoking "Never Stop"—to pursue a solo career. Now, with Davenport back in tow for the first time in 12 years, the Heavies have gotten their groove back. From their righteous cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)" to the reggae-fied funk of the title track and the lush disco rush of "Let's Do It Again," their brand of retro-'70s R&B is awfully easy to get used to.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)"
The Sufferer & the Witness
PUNK-ROCK
Rise Against definitely brings a defiant spirit to its fourth album. On tracks guaranteed to make sensitive ears suffer, the Chicago-based punk-rock quartet unleashes an all-out attack of blistering guitars, ripping drums and frontman Tim McIlrath's rebel yell. "Ready to Fall," the hyper-emotive first single, showcases the band's ability to combine hardcore with hooks, while "The Approaching Curve" takes an arty turn by incorporating spoken-word elements. Most surprising, though, is the string-laden ballad "Roadside," which shows just how affecting these dudes can be when they lay down their arms.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Ready to Fall"
For more information on where to find our Download This picks, go to www.people.com/downloadthis
As the Neptunes, Williams and his hit-making colleague Chad Hugo have produced an impressive roster of essential tracks:
JAY-Z, "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" (2000)
GWEN STEFANI, "Hollaback Girl" (2005)
NELLY, "Hot in Herre" (2002)
SNOOP DOGG, "Drop It Like It's Hot" (2004)
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, "Rock Your Body" (2003)
KELIS, "Milkshake" (2003)
LeToya
Original Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett, 25, was at the center of a girl-group scandal when she and LaTavia Roberson were replaced in 2000, and the two went on to sue Beyoncé and company—not once but twice. Now the singer is back with her self-titled solo debut featuring the Top 5 R&B hit "Torn."
HOW WERE YOU FEELING WHEN ALL OF THE DESTINY'S CHILD DRAMA WAS GOING ON? I wanted it to be over. It's truly like going through a divorce. We had been together since we were 10. It was crazy, like a marriage. When you go through a divorce, you are saddened because the relationship is over, but you also know that you have to move on.
DID IT HURT THAT THE GROUP BLEW UP AFTER YOU AND LATAVIA WERE BOOTED? No. It's funny, I just bought the Destiny's Child [Live in Atlanta] tour DVD. That was an exceptional show. I am a big fan. I love their music. I love what they do.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THEIR BREAKUP LAST YEAR? It was sad. That was something I was a part of. But you know, they are all going to have their solo careers and things are still going to be popping for them. So Destiny's Child isn't going anywhere.
WOULD YOU EVER DO A REUNION TOUR? I would. If that's one of [God's] plans, then so be it, baby. It would be fun.
ARE YOU GOING TO SEE DREAMGIRLS WHEN IT COMES OUT? Of course. I have seen every other Beyoncé movie. I think she is growing as an actress.
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!
