SOUND CHECK.PAULINA RUBIO Paulina Rubio Dosamantes (born June 17 1971) is a Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated Mexican singer and actress. Biography Daughter of Mexican actress Susana Dosamantes, Rubio was born in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. : ``Border Girl'' (Universal) - Two stars A phenomenon in Spanish-speaking countries, Mexican-born Rubio is vying for crossover success with her first English-language album (in stores Tuesday). Trouble is, on ``Border Girl,'' Rubio tries to be everything at once -- a dance queen on ``Don't Say Goodbye'' and ``Fire,'' a pop princess on ``Not That Kind of Girl'' and ``The One You Love,'' a lovesick love·sick adj. 1. So deeply affected by love as to be unable to act normally. 2. Exhibiting a lover's yearning. love crooner on ``Undeniable'' and a cliche on ``Stereo,'' dueting with hip-hop MCs (did we learn nothing from Mariah?) and ``I'll Be Right Here,'' which uses that oh-so-played vocal distortion done to death by Roger Troutman and made officially un-cool by Cher. Rubio adds five Spanish tracks almost as an afterthought, but it's here that the singer's talent is best showcased. -- Heather Wood CHUMBAWAMBA: ``Readymades'' (Republic/Universal) - Two and one half stars They get knocked down, but they get up again; you're never going to keep them down. The members of Chumbawamba, the English rabble rousers that garnered massive radio play thanks to the 1997 anthem ``Tubthumping,'' are back for more. On ``Readymades,'' their 11th studio album, Chumbawamba challenge the status quo [Latin, The existing state of things at any given date.] Status quo ante bellum means the state of things before the war. The status quo to be preserved by a preliminary injunction is the last actual, peaceable, uncontested status which preceded the pending controversy. that politically charged bands rant without the hook, charm or poetry of pop. The CD is full of soft harmony and melody, but beneath the surface is a hotbed hotbed, low, glass-covered frame structure for starting tender plants. It differs from a cold frame only in that the soil is heated—either artificially as by underground electric wiring or steampipes, or naturally with partially fermented stable manure, which of ferocious reflection. Most of the tracks are taken from recent British headlines or historical events (sleeve notes help explain). No smash singles here, but still catchy. - Phillip Zonkel ORIGINAL SINNERS: ``Original Sinners,'' (Nitro) - Two and one half stars If it's punk you're wanting, it's punk you'll be getting in this straightforward collection that features X's Exene Cervenka Exene Cervenka (born Christine Cervenka February 1, 1956) is an American musician and actress. Raised in Illinois and Florida, Cervenka moved to Los Angeles in 1976. on vocals and ex-members of Sluts for Hire and The Distillers. The group continues its punk legacy on rockin' tunes like ``Whiskey for Supper,'' ``Birds & Bees'' and ``Who's Laughin' Now.'' A basic disc, this one will likely leave you looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. your old X and Knitters records. Both of these earlier Cervenka projects -- which still play around -- offer a bit more depth and breadth to their work. It'll be interesting to watch the Sinners progress. -- Theo Douglas HEATHER MYLES: ``Sweet Talk & Good Lies'' (Rounder) - Three stars Hard-core Bakersfield honk informs the best precincts of California cowgirl Heather Myles' latest. The way her voice rolls syllables in bramble bramble, name for plants of the genus Rubus [Lat.,=red, for the color of the juice]. This complex genus of the family Rosaceae (rose family), with representatives in many parts of the world, includes the blackberries, raspberries, loganberries, boysenberries, molasses molasses, sugar byproduct, the brownish liquid residue left after heat crystallization of sucrose (commercial sugar) in the process of refining. Molasses contains chiefly the uncrystallizable sugars as well as some remnant sucrose. on such classically cain't-help-it compositions as the title track, ``One Man Woman Again,'' and ``Home Wrecker'' channels Loretta Lynn in both sound and spirit. But even though you've gotta love the anti-corporate outcry ``Nashville's Gone Hollywood,'' there's enough popped-up hokum here (a cover of ``By the Time I Get to Phoenix,'' something about a Vegas wedding with Dwight Yoakam) to make you wonder if Myles herself hasn't wandered too far south of the Tehachapis. - Bob Strauss RAYVON ``My Bad'' (MCA MCA in full Music Corporation of America Entertainment conglomerate. It was founded in Chicago in 1924 by Jules Stein as a talent agency. In the 1960s it bought Decca Records and Universal Pictures, and today it produces films, music, and television shows. ) - Three and one half stars After lending his vocals to Shaggy's chart-topping hit, ``Angel,'' the New York-based MC Rayvon (aka Bruce Brewster) delivers his own reggae- flavored hip-hop and r&b. Among the standouts on this 14-track follow-up to 1997's ``Hear Me Cry'' is the cautionary opener ``Story of My Life,'' in which Rayvon represents the voice of experience over a foreboding hip-hop groove and otherworldly choir. Other standouts include the player's anthem ``Do You Wanna wan·na Informal 1. Contraction of want to: You wanna go now? 2. Contraction of want a: You wanna slice of pie? Ride,'' the classic reggae-inspired ``English Pound'' and the old school soul of ``In the Wintertime.'' It would be enough to do Shaggy proud. - Sandra Barrera CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Paulina Rubio) (2 -- 5) no caption (CD covers) |
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