What's Left of Me (by Nick Lachey, Pop)

Did you know that Nick Lachey used to be married to Jessica Simpson? Well, in case you are one of the three people in the U.S. who actually doesn't know every detail of their breakup, WHAT'S LEFT OF ME is a fairly histrionic expression of the former boy-band singer's hurt feelings in the wake of losing the woman he loved. In time-honored artistic tradition (and with co-songwriter credit on eight of the tunes), Nick has used his pain to fuel his art, and in itself this is not a bad thing. The problem is that the songs just aren't that good. Overwrought and boring, they express pain like crazy but never move beyond the angst to find that sliver of hope or redemption that defines real art.

The former 98 Degrees star can sing his way around a ballad with the best of them -- and with some good songs and careful production, he could have had an awesome album on his hands. As it is, he's stuck with a tedious and irritating product that is not at all offensive, but also neither fun nor interesting. Let's hope that What's Left of Me provided some therapeutic catharsis for Lachey, because it isn't likely to do much for anyone else. It's too bad, because Lachey has the looks and the voice (if perhaps not the taste or judgment) to go the distance.

Released on: May 9, 2006
Label: Jive Records
Genre: Pop