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| 3/21/04 |
Peter Robinson knows who
was top boy in *NSYNC JC CHASEZ Schizophrenic THIS TIME last year, JC Chasez had scored only one solo song - a spunky R&B track called 'Blowing Me Up (With Her Love)' - on a film soundtrack. Not bad, but in the shadow of his former *NSYNC bandmate Justin Timberlake, Chasez's profile was rather modest. In his favour was a hunger for new and exciting styles: Chasez was responsible for the 2-step influences on *NSYNC's third album, Celebrity, and for the drum 'n' bass on its predecessor, No Strings Attached. Chasez's album was always going to be strange, but it seemed unlikely that it would be this good. Or, to be fair, this sleazy - 'Come to Me' borrows from Corey Hart's 'Sunglasses at Night' and includes the startling line, 'When I'm all alone, I lie awake and masturbate.' Elsewhere the pulsing electro anthem 'All Day Long I Dream About Sex' sounds like Pete Burns fronting the Bloodhound Gang's 'The Bad Touch', boasts a ludicrous foray into Belgian techno, and could conquer the planet if released as a single. Basement Jaxx turn up for the low-slung belter 'Shake It' while Riprock 'n ' Alex G, whose production made Celebrity one of the decade's defining pop albums, work wonders across tracks including the Prince-esque workout '100 ways'. Schizophrenic is an innovative, sophisticated, risk-taking album; proof that while JC's fellow *NSYNCer may or may not boast a prolific trousersnake, Chasez has the biggest balls.
Except for ballads, JC Chasez gets it "Schizophrenic," Jive Records. (3 stars) JC Chasez follows 'N Sync bandmate Justin Timberlake's "Justified" in issuing a solo debut that lives up to its name. From the Gary Numanesque "All Day Long I Dream About Sex" to the Prince homage "100 Ways," this 15-track set, featuring a remix of the club hit "Some Girls (Dance With Women)," is all over the map. But it's the intoxicating duality of hip-hop and '80s R&B on standouts "If You Were My Girl," "Shake It" and "One Night Stand" that forces you to come back for more. The area in which "Schizophrenic" could use some treatment, however, is in the saccharine ballads "Build My World," "Dear Goodbye" and "Lose Myself." These days, they just seem entirely out of sync.
Pop Star on the Sidelines for Kerry DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — As usual, John F. Kerry drew a crowd as he visited a local deli, chatting up diners while a dozen Secret Service agents waited outside by his motorcade. A knot of spectators gathered on the sidewalk, straining to see the man causing all the commotion. But one Kerry supporter, sporting sunglasses and an amused smile, watched the scene from several paces away. For boy-band member Chris Kirkpatrick of NSync fame, who blended into the background for a change, the gathering didn't compare to the hordes of hyperventilating preteens his pop group attracted worldwide. But Kirkpatrick wasn't there to be in the spotlight. The Orlando native was hanging out with Kerry for the day, looking for ways to get more young people interested in politics. Kirkpatrick first met the Massachusetts senator in December, when a friend who worked for the Kerry campaign invited him to swing by the Florida Democratic Convention in Orlando. Kirkpatrick liked what Kerry had to say, and the fact that he was a Vietnam veteran. Then Kerry's campaign took off. "My friends were calling me saying, 'Hey, that guy you met, he's the guy!' " Kirkpatrick recalled with a laugh. Now he's brainstorming ways to bring together friends in the music industry to do something on Kerry's behalf. Political activism is newfound for the 32-year-old, who thinks he's a registered Democrat but isn't sure. He didn't vote in 2000, when the presidential campaign ended in a long recount battle in his state — he was on tour in Europe.
All things music: USA TODAY's Ken Barnes ...Richmond. VA: why do you think that JC chasez's solo effort isnt gettign the radio effort i tdeserves.. I bought the cd and its not too bad,kinda like it more than Justin Timberlakes. ANd why is it that artists liek Fifty Cent get all the publicity for their bad tast while we as a society criticize Clay aiken and the bakcstreet Biys as too sugary.. Personally i think becuz both BSB and CLay dotn have to go the Justin / Fifty route and get dirty and nasty makes them worth havoing a long carreer especially in adult comtemporary where their songs get more play then anythig Justin nor Britney put out. Ken Barnes: JC did seem to go the Justin route, but radio just isn't enthused. Maybe there's only room for one ex-'N Syncer at a time. Sugary pop always gets criticized, while thuggery is seen as cool
by a lot of fans and intimidated critics. Although sometimes there
are cool thugs and a lot of sugary pop is dreadfully bland. Try
to judge everything on a case-by-case basis, I say... Rumor Mill: Jive, Justin, BMG BARRY & THE REMAINS: Observers observing that Jive chief Barry Weiss, who is said to be close to inking a new deal to continue running the expanded label, will soon be sitting on top of a truly powerhouse artist roster, with acts like OutKast, Pink and Usher beefing up a stable currently headlined by Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly and NSYNC. THIS JUSTIN: Speaking of NSYNC, as the boys plan to enter the studio to record a new album, insiders close to the Timberlake camp say he currently has no plans to join them. BMG’S MUSICAL CHAIRS: As rumors of Arista’s impending absorption by J/RCA and Jive intensify, at least two senior Arista execs are set for gigs in the new BMG order: So So Def chief/Arista Sr. VP Jermaine Dupri is said to be close to inking a new deal to move his imprint and self to Jive, while Arista sales guru Jordan Katz has just been appointed head of BMG Distribution (see story). Clive Davis and company are also said to be taking a hard look at promotion head Steve Bartels—who has previously worked for Davis—but oddsmakers at this point predict Bartels’ future lies elsewhere. Meanwhile, rumors that Arista EVP/GM Larry Mestel may be headed to Virgin appear to be more than idle speculation. Meanwhile, Arista employees have been told that their last day will be Friday, 3/26. |
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