Hush
Scotland's Texas (they have nothing to do with the Lone Star State) go for the U.S. gold withThe Hush. Attributing the Motown sound as a major influence, Texas's sound is heavily influenced by contemporary American R&B.; Now, when we think of Motown, the wordsoulis immediately evoked, but Texas's sound is about as far away from true soul as Dallas is from the band's hometown of Glasgow. Not that they don't try. The chorus on the opening track of "In Our Lifetime" is a too-close-for-comfort imitation of the chorus fromTLC's single "Creep." On "Tell Me the Answer" frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri emulatesPrince's falsetto à la "Kiss." But her voice is an overproduced, emotional flatliner that lacks the bump and grind that TLC and Prince deliver. However, the album is adorned with lush, grand instrumental arrangements typical of fine Britpop--making Texas the bride to, say,Robbie Williams's groom.--Beth Massa