Natasha Bedingfield - NB

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The reviews for Natasha's second have been mixed so far, some praising this project for its adventurous eclecticism and some criticising the lass for moving beyond her pop R&B sound. Certainly it took considerable nerve for Natasha to expand her musical parameters particularly when one considers how brother Daniel's hugely diverse second album 'Second First Impression' failed to engage Joe Public in anything like the quantity that his debut did. Whether 'NB' enjoys the 2.6 million sales of Natasha's debut we'll have to wait and see but I for one enjoyed the pop perfect balladry, leanings towards Gwen Stefani rock as well as the exuberantly rhythmic R&B contained here. The quirky hit single "I Wanna Have Your Babies" is just one of many differing styles here and though some of the lyrics are a little emotionally introverted for easy unravelling one or two great lines do leap out (eg, on "Who Knows" with its opening lyric "I'm in like with you/Not in love with you, quite yet"). If you're looking for classy pop, here's a prime example.