CD review: ‘Schizophrenic’
(2/28/04) Thomas Bond Get Out (thanks Jayne!)

The transition from boy band member to solo artist is a tricky one.
Backstreet Boy Nick Carter released an album under his own name only to watch it disappear without a trace while ’N Sync’s Justin Timberlake's effort, “Justified,” has made him one of the biggest stars on the planet. JC Chasez, also of ’N Sync, is the latest singer trying to grow out of his teen pop image and become an adult artist.

To his credit, he's ready to sink or swim on his own merit having co-written all but one of 17 songs and with his fingerprints all over the disc’s production as well. “Schizophrenic” is an apt title for the CD as it's a stylistically scattershot affair bouncing between dance club-inspired electronic ditties, guitar-driven rock, reggae, stripped-down funk, sweeping ballads and new wave synth-pop. Surprisingly, it works quite well.

Chasez has a fine voice — that was never in question — but, who knew he could apply it successfully to such varied styles? Growling here, cooing there and poking fun at himself in the comical “One Night Stand,” the singer has a commanding presence throughout the disc. Lyrically, he still has a long way to go as stock song titles such as “If You Were My Girl,” “Come To Me” and “Everything You Want” attest. There’s no telling if “Schizophrenic” can match the sales juggernaut of “Justified,” but the album shows Chasez possesses enough musical creativity and talent to play second banana to no one. B

Timberlake just grabs attention
(2/28/04) Lynne McNamara Vancouver Sun (thanks Eva!)

The logistics of filming in Vancouver with teen scream Justin Timberlake will undoubtedly be challenging.

"He might get a fair bit of attention," understates Shawn Williamson, whose company, Brightlight Pictures, is servicing Edison, the thriller for Millennium Films and Emmett/Furla Films, in which Timberlake makes his dramatic debut alongside Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and LL Cool J.

Williamson's had a bit of experience with teen idols and their excitable fans.

Last year, shooting Try Seventeen at a home in Shaughnessy, word got out that Mandy Moore and Elijah Wood were on set, and before you could say "micro-mini-skirt," the street was lined with girls from a nearby private school.

Edison begins shooting March 13 (through to early May) with David Burke (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), making his writing and directorial debut.

It's the story of a cop, a criminal and the reporter who lubricates the lines of communication between them.

Timberlake, who'll be in town for a couple of months, plays the young journalist in a small, but pivotal role.

Luckily, the kid comes with his own security people to back up Vancouver City Police, who'll help out when they shoot in the downtown area.

"We should be announcing dates and locations soon," teases Williamson.

"We're not expecting massive security issues, it's mostly how do you deal with the crowds in a friendly, calm way, and still shoot the movie," Williamson says.

Cleveland Scene Review: Schizophrenic
(2/28/04) DAN LEROY Cleveland Scene (thanks Jayne!)

You have to feel for J.C. Chasez. He's watched 'N Sync bandmate Justin Timberlake beat him to all the important career milestones: boffing Britney, going solo, groping a Jackson on national TV. But Chasez has more than just halftime hijinks on his mind, and the proof's in this collection, which is giddily adventurous enough to make Justin seem like Sting.

The first clue that J.C.'s solo career was going somewhere came on the Drumline soundtrack. "Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)" out-Justined Justin via a flawless 21st-century cloning of George Michael. Chasez inevitably revisits those plastic soul roots on Schizophrenic, with mixed success -- "Build My World" is a gooey teen ballad with enough saccharin to off a labful of rats -- but more often, and more interestingly, the album lives up to its title. "100 Ways" mashes genres into a twanging, rapping, rocking mess of a single that's irresistible for its sheer chutzpah, while the techno-metal stomper "A.D.I.D.A.S." gives an old joke some New Orderish juice.

Sure, such crazed attempts at genre-hopping are time-honored bids for credibility by a young artist desperate to show he can do it all. It just never feels that way. The multiple '80s references sprinkled throughout aren't merely trendy -- they make sense; it's been about that long since a star this big sounded like he was having this much fun.

All that talent, plus singing, too
(2/28/04) Glenn Gamboa Newsday

When Paris Hilton announced that she was heading into the studio to record a CD, she was ready for the snickers. But some who have actually heard what she's working on with producer Robb Boldt say she should get ready for the applause.

"She's got her own style, she's got a vibe going, and it's pretty cool," says singer JC Chasez, who dropped in on one of Hilton's studio sessions recently.

"I would say it's better than some stuff out there. I'm proud of her for being brave enough to do it, because she knows she's going to stand under a microscope and everybody's going to scrutinize the hell out of her."

Chasez was so impressed that he offered her some help. "I threw a couple of ideas on her lap -- just from the outside looking in," he says. "If I was in your shoes, you know, this is maybe something I would do, but I haven't physically, like, written out an entire song for her or anything like that, just because this is her record and she's actually going to be involved in a lot of it. That's why she is taking her time, and because she wants to be involved in every aspect. I applaud that."