Celebrity
The boy balladeers of 'N Sync have always kept in step with  their competition, but withCelebrity, they've entered a  different race altogether. Members Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez (who  co-wrote and co-produced most of the tracks on this album) have drawn  on R&B;, hip-hop, and electronica to make a remarkably adult mix. While  younger fans will love the disc (it is 'N Sync, after all), older  listeners will be surprised and pleased by thePrince-influenced  "Gone," the Miami bass beat of "The Two of Us," and theStevie Wonderharmonica cameo on "Something Like You."  The disc only fails in its  more predictable territory: the title track's lyrics are hopelessly  generic ("Would you be so into me / if I wasn't a celebrity"). The Swedish-pop machine (also behindBritney Spears)  cranks out two solid dance tracks ("Tell Me, Tell Me...Baby" and "Just  Don't Tell Me That"), but his offerings are hardly as innovative, or as  much fun, as the band's own contributions. Overall,Celebrity,  is a triumph, and unlike many of their teen-pop peers, the members of  'N Sync (or Timberlake and Chasez, at least) promise solid careers  ahead.--Courtney Kemp