Artist: Jennifer Lopez
Album: "J. Lo"
Headline: "Lopez's chart topping album falls
to new 'Lo'"
By: Siana H. (Published Feb. 2001)
Jennifer Lopez's new album, entitled "J. Lo"
is a complete mix of flashy, raunchy, ghetto
superstar gaudiness.
The album cover itself is an ode to Master P,
Cash Money and the No Limit record companies,
because it has what appears to be an extravagant
diamond encrusted gold pendant bearing the
letters 'J. Lo.'
This sophomore attempt to throw herself back
into the musical spotlight is a giant mix of pop,
techno and Latin.
When considered seperately, the different music
worlds are respectable and popular.
Yet when combined on this album, they become
trashy and in some cases, even laughable.
Ms. Lopez seems to be using her acting abilities
on this album, because she apparently has no
vocal talents.
Through seductive moans and the occasional "Oh
yeah, uh-huh's" Ms. Lopez tries to cover up her
weak voice with sexuality.
The sexuality factor appears to be the only strong
point of Ms. Lopez, and is flamboyantly portrayed
on the cover also.
Various pictures are thrwon in on the flip side of
the lyrics page, most of which are quite revealing
and alluring.
There are perhaps only four reputable tracks on
the 15-track album, and even they are not suitable
to be on any high profile stars worst CD.
Ah, but there is a flashy 24-karat gold lining-the
Spanish language tracks, even though this also
highlights her bad singing voice.
These songs attempt to showcase her Hispanic
heritage even though she only recently learned
the language while filming her 1995 film, "Selena."
The album even boasts Ms. Lopez as one of the
executive producers.
The first track on this album, which is the current
number one single on local charts, is entitled 'Love
don't cost a thing.'
It tells the story of a girl who wants attention from
her boyfriend rather than material things like
diamonds, cars and mansions.
Yeah, and that famed Grammy dress that Ms. Lopez
wore covered up her generous assets.
She scolds the imaginary boyfriend with lyrics like
"When I took a chance, thought you'd understand/
baby credit cards aren't romance/still you're trying
to buy what's already yours/what I need from you
is not available in stores."
Perhaps she is trying to subconsciously influence
real-life boyfriend Sean 'Puffy' Combs.
Most of the tracks involve lyrics and ad libs that
suggest some very inappropriate activities and
makes one think that perhaps a parenta advisory
sticker for explicit lyrics should have been placed
on the cover of the CD.
Lyrically speaking, a third grader could have written
this entire album.
Each and every line is overflowing with cheese and
sounds like there was a scramble for any word that
harmoniously rhymed with 'love' or 'baby.'
For the most part, the songs on this album seem as
though they should be on random 80's funk
compilations, rather than on one of the 'breakthrough'
records of the 21st century.
The three Spanish songs on "J. Lo" have some of the
best Latin beats heard in mainstream pop since Gloria
Estefan.
True, they have good beats, but that does not
necessarily make them good songs, just danceable.
The next to last song on the CD is called "Dame and
is a duet with a famed Latin singer named Cheyanne.
Cheyanne is one of the few great Latino singers out
there, yet even his wonderful vocal workings do not
help in any way pull this record out of the gutter.
Overall this album cannot really be taken seriously.
When and if it ever gets nominated for any awards,
it will most likely be for image or lack of competition
rather than for actual talent.
Ms. Lopez should stick to her acting career instead
of trying to further her musical talent, or lack thereof.
The record company could have possibly left out the
complete title of this album: "J. Lo-quality music."
Perhaps this CD shouldn't have cost a thing, because
it definitely is not worth a single penny.
Overall Album Rating: D-