These two artists first hit the proverbial spotlight as members of a group. In the case of Cheryl Cole, it was the UK’s Girls Aloud, while there’s no prize for figuring out that Nick Jonas is one of those Jonas Brothers of Disney fame. What is interesting to note is how the music on their respective CDs are attempts to establish their own individual musical identities.
Cheryl Cole — 3 Words (MCA Music, Inc.). Cheryl’s musical provenance would be the girl group Girls Aloud, which did hit it big in the UK and Europe, but weren’t as successful in the US and Asian markets. Cheryl’s second shot at fame came when she was a judge in Simon Cowell’s X Factor; and given the producer-friends and musician-friends she’s amassed, she’s parlayed that renewed popularity into a solo shot at stardom. Unlike the techno-influenced music of GA, Cheryl’s solo outing, with will.i.am producing and guesting on some numbers is very much mainstream R&B/pop. Parachute and Heaven are as radio-friendly as you can get and I liked Fight For This Love and Happy Hour. Very commercial, slickly produced, and Mr.i.am proves he’s a better producer than rapper!
Nick Jonas & the Administration — Who I Am (MCA Music, Inc.). Lower those eyebrows, because much as I hate to admit it, the first three tracks on this CD (Rose Garden, Who I Am and Olive & the Arrow) would compel one to ask, “Who is this kid channeling John Mayer?” Surprisingly mature, I have to hand it to Nick for trying his best, via composing as well, to show there’s an unexpected side to his musical abilities. Former members of Prince’s New Power Generation make up the backing band Administration; and with rock, blues and even Bruce Springsteen type vibes wafting all over this CD, it does take a blink and a half to accept this is a Jonas brother stretching out. Tonight is the other strong track; the rock numbers being the weak links here.