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Whitney Houston
I Look to You
(Arista)
Comeback of the year. Or belly-flop of the year. There's no middle ground for Whitney Houston.
The troubled diva -- who has free-fallen from chart-topping singer to late-night punchline in recent years -- is attempting the mother of all returns with her sixth album I Look to You, her first new CD since 2002. Will it save her career or seal her fate? Let's consider both sides.
The upside:
1) Everybody loves a comeback;
2) The disc was shepherded by music biz legend Clive Davis, who has enough muscle to shove it into the charts;
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3) It was written and produced by heavyweights like Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Akon, Diane Warren and David Foster;
4) Houston is embarking on a full-court promotional press, including an Oprah appearance;
5) The album comes out tomorrow instead of Tuesday, so it can be eligible for this year's Grammys -- where it's likely to garner a slew of noms;
6) The CD ignores trends and returns Whitney to her wheelhouse of lightweight '80s R&B and bombastic ballads;
7) Houston still has those powerhouse pipes.
The downside:
1) The title cut and first single stalled at No. 74 on the charts -- not exactly a stellar debut;
2) Houston is 46 -- a little long in the tooth to tap into the youth market that drives the industry;
3) The CD's old-school vibe could be seen as dated instead of a return to form;
4) None of these understated songs possess the undeniable stopping power of I Will Always Love You;
5) That publicity campaign can collapse from one bad interview -- remember "Crack is wack"?
History will be the final judge; meanwhile, here's my verdict on the tunes:
Million Dollar Bill 3:24
Keys penned this bouncy R&B single built from a funky bassline and swirly keyboards. Houston indulges her playful pop side -- while warming up with a few big notes.
Nothin' But Love 3:35
It starts with synth notes -- but since the online distribution service that SonyBMG uses barely works on my Mac, I can't hear more of the song than that. Sorry.
Call You Tonight 4:08
Sweet arpeggios, a shimmery swooping melody and a classic beatbox set the stage for a mellow dollop of midtempo soul produced by Stargate.
I Look to You 4:25
This God-loving piano-and-strings ballad slowly swells from a bare-bones opening to a stirring crescendo -- but without going over the top. Nicely restrained.
Like I Never Left 3:49
Akon delivers the disc's only guest spot on an understatedly funk-pop duet. It's nice, but somebody who could match her vocally would have been better.
A Song for You 4:11
It starts as another piano ballad -- but midway through, this cover of a Leon Russell oldie transforms into gently pumping synth-funk.
I Didn't Know My Own Strength 3:40
Diane Warren wrote this self-empowerment ballad. David Foster produced (and orchestrated, presumably). Amazingly, it's not as shmaltzy as you'd expect.
Worth It 4:39
Another laid-back midtempo groover, with Whitney singing, "I know somebody's gonna make love to this song tonight." Thanks for the visual.
For the Lovers 4:14
Laced with clickety percussion, buzzy synths and breathy vocal injections, this has a Michael Jackson-circa-Off the Wall feel.
I Got You 4:12
Whitney's proclaims her undying love over a thumpy slow-burning beat decorated with pulsing strings and layered backup vocals.
Salute 4:10
"Don't call it a comeback," orders Whitney on this lush midtempo closer from R. Kelly. "I've been here for years." Yeah, but reality TV doesn't count, honey.