Thanks to the MTV reality show Newlyweds, Nick Lachey has become
a guy you want to like.
His role as the harried, good-natured husband of Jessica Simpson
practically earns him sainthood status, not just because of his patience
but also because he transmits a persona that is hard-working and genuine.
Universal
Nick Lachey’s uncomplicated but likeable characteristics don’t
play as well on his new solo disc as they do on TV.
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His solo debut, the irksomely titled SoulO, is much like the man
on TV: uncomplicated but likeable – characteristics, unfortunately, that
don't play as well on disc as they do on TV.
SoulO lacks the kind of fire that makes you crave the sound of it
again and again.
He sticks to the turf he worked in boy teen-pop quartet 98 Degrees:
R&B-flavored pop, interspersing upbeat danceable numbers with heartthrob
ballads.
He has a pleasantly boyish voice, hitting the soprano range gracefully
and sometimes sounding like George Michael, most noticeably on the song
"Could You Love." But he can also belt it out powerfully when he wants
to.
He receives co-writing credit on most of the songs; it looks as if he
wrote the lyrics. Whether up-tempo or down, most of the songs – "Can't
Stop Loving You," "Could You Love," "Fall in Love Again" – are about the
L-word.
His writing partners include the trio known as the "The Matrix" that has
written songs for Christina Aguilera (among others), and teen-pop
producer Guy Chambers.
A good half of the disc is forgettable pop, songs that go in one ear and
come out the other. But there are a couple of catchy moments that stick,
such as the opening track, "Shut Up," a funk-driven groove with pretty
harmonies that hook the ear.
On the ballads, he exhibits a nice quiver, infusing his words with
emotion.
Not all the ballads are sure things. "This I Swear" has all the bite of
a Celine Dion epic, and "Edge of Eternity" is horridly sappy.
But when he's doing it right, as on the breathy, emotive "I Fall in Love
Again," or the corny but affecting "You're the Only Place," ballads seem
to be his destiny.
E-mail tgubbins@dallasnews.com
