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THIS IS ME...THEN
Jennifer Lopez
(Epic-Sony)
So I ripped open my copy of J.Lo's new album, due in stores Tuesday, and looked immediately at the liner notes for any mention of Ben.
Ben who? Why, Affleck, of course. The couple's engagement has been all over the news for the last week.
Thankfully, Lopez didn't disappoint with this little shout-out to her betrothed: "You are my life, my sole inspiration for every lyric, every emotion, every bit of feeling on this record. You make the artist in me sing in a way I never thought I could. This would have been a totally different album, had you not come into my life. So thank you, my love. This is as much your album as it is mine!"
Affleck may ask for the remix version. Consider Dear Ben, a dreadful ballad with lyrics like: "I love you, you're perfect, a manifestation of my dreams."
Lopez really has nothing to worry about. Her career has reached that uberdiva level, where it's become more about her gorgeous image than anything else. She never could really sing, but boy, could she dance and look good in a tiny pair of shorts. That about describes her latest collection of music.
Her thin, high voice is most exposed when the backup singers sound so much better on the weak midtempo pop ballads Still, Loving You, I'm Glad, The One, Again and I've Been Thinkin', Baby, I Love You and a cover of Carly Simon's You Belong To Me. Not even LL Cool J can save her when they swap verses on All I Have.
Lopez, who has no plans to tour, does best when she displays a little attitude, as on the fun dance single, Jenny From The Block, featuring Styles and Jadakiss.
This album needs more sass, less sap. (More on Jennifer Lopez)
Track Listing
1. Still
2. Loving You
3. I'm Glad
4. The One
5. Dear Ben
6. All I Have
7. Jenny From The Block
8. Again
9. You Belong To Me
10. I've Been Thinkin'
11. Baby I Love U
12. The One (Version 2) (Bonus Track)