Fridae

When the video for "Love Don't Cost A Thing" came on TV, my nose was instantly glued to the screen, and so was everyone's. Here was Jennifer Lopez in her prime, with her big house, big car, and endless collection of bracelets she did not need.

Everyone was happy, but not her. That's when she goes bonkers and flings all her shit out the car window to roll in the sand on the beach wearing nothing but a skimpy top and panties that could never ever completely cover her humongous ass while all her diamonds gleam on the freeway. That's when I yelled, "Shit bitch, you crazy?" (I freaked out more when I found out that the album was hideously titled J.Lo. Gelatin deserts anyone?)

But no, she apparently did that very expensive striptease to prove a point already proven by Destiny's Child with "Independent Women Part 1"-that women can earn their own living and "floss" as they wish. For the last freakin' time, we know already!

Lopez's vocal capacity has improved dramatically in J.Lo, although I'd still want to avoid seeing her perform live. Getting out a movie at almost the same time ("The Wedding Planner") was of course a good marketing ploy. Breaking up with partner Puff Daddy was not.

This is an album that will definitely grow on you. Worthy tracks are the electronic-inflected "Walking on Sunshine", "Ain't It Funny", "Cari�o", the pseudo-choral "That's Not Me", and "I'm Gonna Be Alright". Two tracks are in Spanish-"Si Ya Se Acabo" and "Dame", a duet with ultra-sexy Chayanne. However, there's nothing in the album that comes close to "No Me Ames", her On the 6 duet with Marc Anthony.

If On the 6 left you a little lightheaded and drowsy with it's multitude of ballads, J.Lo might just be the remedy for it.