Chicago XXX
On their first studio album of the millennium, the horn rock progenitors continue to mine the pop ballad vein that's been their stock in trade since the '70s. The fiery, jazz-rooted brass arrangements that were their original signature continue to take a back seat to slick pop constructions (or disappear entirely on the opening single mix of the album's harmony 'n' electro-rhythm-driven "Feel"), even as they add a sense of familiar integrity throughout. Their continued focus on pop vocal riches is ably aided on the winning ballad "Love Will Come Back" by country stars Rascal Flatts and pushed in a more contemporary r&b; vein via the sultry guest vocals of Shelly Fairchild on "Why Can't We." Yet Chicago still manages to conjure an impressive range of musical energy and dynamics throughout, from the spare, neo-classicism of "King of What Might Have Been" (featuring the deft harmonies of guest Joseph Williams) and pop-precious "Caroline" to the muscular energy of "90 Degrees and Freezing" and Caribbean flavored "Come to Me, Do."--Jerry McCulley