Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 19/10/09
Label: RCA/Sony

Whitney Houston's life story is almost as clichéd and 'inspiring' as one of her schmaltzy mid-'90s movies. Young, beautiful, gifted woman becomes the biggest singing sensation in the world, falls in love with bad boy singer, descends into drug oblivion, has sensational comeback, descends deeper into drug oblivion, divorces bad boy singer and battles her demons to make yet another return to the spotlight. The difference is, the ending of Houston's story isn't an entirely happy one. Stronger and wiser might be the lyrical message of her first album in seven years, but clearly she hasn't escaped totally unscathed.

For an alarming insight into the effects of crack cocaine, look no further than Houston's onetime crowning glory. Her voice, to put it kindly, is screwed. Once the definition of perfection, the benchmark by which all other singers were judged, it's now reedy and underpowered. Gone is the effortless control and clean, crisp delivery, replaced by the breathy croon of a weary diva at least double her 46 years. With its husky tremor, it's not unpleasant. It just isn't Whitney Houston.

What makes the situation all the more depressing is that as an album, "I Look To You" isn't a bad stab at a comeback. The Alicia Keys-penned first single "Million Dollar Bill" is strident, sexy and memorable, a head held high anthem for a returning diva. Banner waving ballad "Salute" and the big, weepy, into the light moment of the title track, both written by R Kelly, are dignified and strong, while the stylish electro of "Nothin' But Love" casts her as both modern and inspirational, with fortitude to spare in lines like "I could hold onto pain but that ain't what my life's about".

It's to her credit that Houston draws on what she euphemistically refers to in interviews as her "ups & downs" rather than glossing over them. With the likes of piano lament "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", the album is full pain and dark days vanquished, triumph over adversity and being a better person for the heartache. As she mumbles through "For The Lovers" though, it's hard to be quite so philosophical about it.

Whitney Houston had it all and threw most of it away. For all that she's miraculously clawed back here, the one thing that eludes her is the one thing that made her exceptional: her voice. Without it she's just another R&B singer, and, good as it is in places, "I Look To You" is just another R&B album.

    by Dan Gennoe