It’s not about time for Christina Milian: new album lacks sparkle

Christina Milian’s new CD It’s About Time can be summed up in one word: forgettable. There is not a single song that presents something new, fresh or exciting.

There is nothing on this album that sets this her apart from the current crop of pop princesses. It has all been done before and sometimes what has already been done is simply better music.

Cuban-American Milian has worked in film, television, theatre and music. She appeared with Ja Rule in his hit single “Between You and Me.” Her self-titled debut album was released abroad in 2002 and the single “AM to PM,” which she released in the States, did well on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Her current album contains 12 tracks and was released by Island Records, a heavy hitter in the music industry that also backs artists such as Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Usher and Mariah Carey. “Dip it Low,” as could be predicted from its position on the Billboard charts, is the pinnacle of the entire album.

Milian’s sultry, lush vocals and semi-explicit lyrics in this song add a little shimmer to this otherwise listless album. She has recorded and released three versions of the song with the version on the album featuring rising hip-hop star Fabolous.

The rest of the album is composed mostly of filler tracks, interspersed with some interesting numbers like the ballad “Someday One Day” and more peppy songs like “Get Loose” and “Whatever U Want” featuring Joe Budden.

Overall, the music gives the feel of coming off of a mass-produced hip-hop/ R&B album conveyor belt. The marketing strategy for the album seems to be more focused upon Milian’s position as a sex symbol rather than her vocal ability and musical talent.

All that said, she definitely shows potential. It is just a pity that she did not use much of it in the making of this album. Maybe It’s About Time is a warm-up to the real act. Maybe she is working up to a great next album. So watch this space for further news. But as for picking up the CD, apparently it’s not about time.