|
|
|
CD Reviews: JEN'S GLOW SLOW: AVOID IT; JENNIFER LOPEZ Rebirth HH. / Articles on Jennifer Lopez
|
||
|
Jennifer Lopez Picture Galleries:
|
CD Reviews: JEN'S GLOW SLOW: AVOID IT; JENNIFER LOPEZ Rebirth HH.
Byline: Gavin Martin
You can't fault Jennifer Lopez's determination to get on in life. Escaping the tough New York neighbourhood of the Bronx, her vivacious onscreen presence ensured that by the time she was 28, she was the highest-paid Latina actress in history.
But Jumping Jenny's ambition did not stop there. With her 1999 debut album On The 6, she set out on a recording career that's saw her sell more than 12 million albums. But music has always just been a part of the whole J-Lo package, which also includes lingerie and make-up. Those who purchase this new album early even get a free waft of her latest perfume line, Miami Glow.
Sadly the music that accompanies the scent could readily be called Florida Tripe - an unappealing dish, devoid of character or strength. Even the irrepressible will to get ahead, which could be heard on early J-Lo albums, is absent. Utilising a formula that's wearing so thin it's in danger of unravelling, Rebirth has a production line team of top technicians, predictable tempos and songs that mix saucy come-ons and little-girl-lost babbling. It all sounds very familiar and is much the same as that utilised on the recent Destiny's Child album.
It is tempting to speculate what percentage of the album actually involved J-Lo. It's tailored like a piece of one size fits all clothing. When she does funk (Whatever You Want) it is a posture struck rather than a feeling felt and guest Ludacris adds ludicrous backing vocals. On Still Around - a barely credible ode to long-term fidelity from a serial datee - Outkast's Big Boi adds a rap that is more like a voiceover, possessing all the passion of a weather forecast.
Elsewhere there are some truly excruciating lyrics. On the lame Prince-a-like Cherry Pie, she suggest that "I can be your cherry pie and you can be my cream on top". Get a cake shop instead, love.
Gwen Stefani raised the bar for the prepackaged pop album. J-Lo, with too many other interests to give her music output serious attention, has brought it right down again.
Even her most ardent customers' brand loyalty will be sorely tested by this.
NEW FILM: J-Lo and Richard Gere in Shall We Dance?
Article Title: CD Reviews: JEN'S GLOW SLOW AVOID IT; JENNIFER LOPEZ Rebirth HH. Newspaper Title: The Mirror. Publication Date: February 25, 2005. Page Number: 10. COPYRIGHT 2005 MGN LTD
More Articles:
|
