English Music Reviews - October 5, 2006

Paris
Paris Hilton
She's an heiress, an entrepreneur, an actress, a model, and now, a singer – of sorts. Seems to us that there's nothing Paris Hilton won't try her hand at. And why not? Try a million different ventures and a few just might click. Luckily for Paris, her millions of adoring fans (and even critics) are all eager to see what Paris really is capable of. Therefore, even if this isn't the best debut album of its time, even if it isn't even half decent, its still going to be flying off the shelves. But let's be fair here. Paris really isn't all that bad. First single Stars Are Blind, with it's reggae-esque feel and easy lyrics is quite pleasant to listen to. Similarly, Paris' cover of the Rod Stewart hit D'Ya Think I'm Sexy isn't half bad. I think it's time we give Paris a fair chance.

Welcome to tha chuuch: Da album
Bigg Snoop Dogg
Just because Snoop is executive producer of the album, doesn't mean he's the lead vocalist here. Instead, the album presents a bunch of new artistes signed on Snoop's Doggpound label. Give the album a shot. It might not be classic Doggy Style stuff, but it has highlights of its own, most notably the tracks Real Soon (feat Snoop, Nate, Kurupt and Daz) and Sisters N Brothers, a track that promotes peace.

Romantic Classics
Julio Iglesias
If you are already familiar with the ballads featured on this compilation, Julio Iglesias singing them in his trademark style might sound a tad strange. Take for example, Iglesias' version of George Michael's Careless Whisper or Richard Marx's Right here Waiting. Somehow his normally endearing Latin accent just doesn't work on a song that's already a classic in many a mind. Still, it's worth a listen if you're on the lookout for something different.

Coming home
Lionel Richie
If you're an old-school Lionel Richie fan, Coming Home is a must-have. For the newer generation who haven't heard much besides Hello, this is a good place to start. On Coming Home, Richie sounds years younger. There are fast tracks aplenty (Up All Night, first single I Call it Love, and All Around The World) as well as Richie's trademark syrupy ballads such as Sweet Vacation and Why.