Thalia
ForgetDestiny's Child; Mexican  divaThaliahas a lock  on independent-woman anthems. Her self-titled, eighth album (and fourth for EMI  Latin) is ripe with girl-power ditties, from the ska-tinged "En la Fiesta Mando  Y" to "A Quien le Importa," a devil-may-care ode to individuality. It's familiar  ground for Thalia, who explored similar themes on 1997'sAmor a la  Mexicanaand 1999'sArrasando. This new set is not as instantly  addictive, but it showcases Thalia's continued evolution as an artist. "La Loca"   is a smorgasbord of rock, cumbia, and rap rhythms, while the glittering "Vueltas  en el Aire" is destined to fill dance floors. Mrs. Tommy Mottola also teams with  theKumbia Kingson "Tu  y Yo" and enlistsMarc  Anthonyas backup on "The Mexican." The inevitable crossover is also  foreshadowed on the yearning ballad "Closer to You" and a cover ofDead or Alive's "You Spin  Me 'Round," which finds Thalia purring like a sex kitten. If she keeps it up,  we'll all soon be a slave for a new kind of diva.--Joey Guerra