R&B

While Whitney Houston co-wrote just one of the 10 tracks on "Just Whitney ..." the songs deal with her tabloid-fodder personal life of recent years.

"Whatchulookinat," which she co-wrote, is a jab at the tabloids and rumor-mongers. "I see your eyes on me/you been telling lies on me," she sings. It's a funky tune, but it's quite comical to hear someone whose career depends on being in the spotlight to complain about people looking at her. "The same spotlights, the ones that gave me fame tryin' to dirty up Whitney's name," she snarls.

"One of Those Days," on the other hand, is intended to connect her with everywoman.

It deals with stressful situations and ways to unwind. Give the sister credit for rhyming "aroma therapy" with "TV."

"Tell Me No," sporting the now-requisite R&B acoustic guitar accents, is an upbeat number, complete with an uplifting you-can't-hold-me-down theme.

The us-against-them sentiment of "My Love" featuring hubby Bobby Brown is rather cheesy and cliche.

"It's been 10 years since we been, married, right?" Brown mutters during the intro. But the song, for all of it's ridiculousness, is quite catchy.

Whitney doesn't really sound like the crooner we used to know until the sixth track, "Try It On My Own," a traditional-sounding ballad, co-written by Babyface.

It's a shame Whitney won't let Whitney be "Just Whitney" anymore.

Whitney Houston "Just Whitney ..."

HIGHS / "Try It On My Own" has that classic ballad flavor; "Unashamed" updates the diva's funky side.

LOWS / The attempts to keep up with the J. Los, such as "Dear John Letter," just don't work, and injecting soul into "You Light Up My Life" doesn't catch fire.

SUMMARY / Not a terrible attempt to recapture the spotlight, but a somewhat scornful one.

By Kent Kimes, The Sun News