You Had Me at Soul Sessions

When it seems Vh1 hasn't shoved her down your throat enough, Joss Stone comes out with an actual album. Mind, Body, and Soul is the latest from a very unnoticable 70s funk/soul revival. Why is it so unnoticable? Because it sounds too much late nineties N'sync pop. Admit it, if Maroon5 put down their instruments they'd be no more of a bubblegum boy band than Five or the Backstreet Boys were. Here's exactly what keeps actual audiofiles from taking Joss Stone seriously.

"I don't care if my words sound absurd" she sings, from the blandness of worldview and topic she addresses, at least she's honest with herself. She's as awkward and clumsy as Ruben Studdard as a lyricist. Stumbling along fragments and half rymes, she can't get across her point. And when she can, the point she makes is so personal it's a little creepy. Any wanna-be pop star that makes you feel like you have an obsessed friendless admirer seeking your attention, isn't getting the job done. At least she's got good pipes, but what good has that done for the American Idols?