Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 21/08/06
Label: Warners

It's not going to be a popular opinion. It won't change the minds of those who, quite understandably, have come to despise the omni-present, ultra-spoilt rich kid and everything that she and her vacuous red carpet chum, Nicole Richie, have come to stand for; which let's face it, isn't much. But, cut through the snobbery, resist the temptation to pre-judge and the inescapable truth is that Paris Hilton's debut album, is actually rather good.

To put it into some kind of context, it's not a staggering work of art. It's no pop masterpiece to rival The Beatles, Madonna or Michael Jackson's best. But then again, few things are. If however the bench marks are Aguilera and Pink, it's only fair to say that Ms Hilton or rather her album, holds its own.

The "Grease" sampling disco of "I Want You", "Nothing In This World"'s crisp teen rock and sly R&B pouter "Turn You On" have her ably covering all of US pop's core bases. Meanwhile, bratty anthem "Screwed" and the ego-stroking hip hop of "Fightin' Over Me" featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss, come with a playful wink which suggests that she's well aware of her self-absorbed, dumb-blonde persona, and just in case there's any doubt, she seals it with a gloriously camp cover of Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy". Even the plinky pop-reggae, never a good look, of single "Stars Are Blind" manages to ingratiate itself eventually.

But then "Paris" should be a good album. Hilton isn't just some girl off the street with half an idea that she wants to be a singer. She has a name, an international profile and deep pockets, and through a combination of those she's managed to attract the talents of some of the most respected writers and producers in pop.

Those usually found in the company of Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Pink, Black Eyed Peas and Madonna, have all signed up and done a sterling job. And with the likes of 50 Cent and Beyonce's producer Scott Storch on board, it's little wonder that on occasion, the tingling "Jealousy" for one, she goes beyond mere chart fodder to a class most of her peers dream of.

To many it'll appear that, like everything else, the fabulously wealthy Ms Hilton has bought herself a singing career. And in many ways it could be argued that she has. But so what? With some contagious pop, genuinely stylish moments and a complete lack of inane ballads, it was worth every penny.

    by Mark Daniels