Justin Timberlake

The teen idol trades pop-gloss for a smooth, R&B-soaked sound on Justified. Incorporating old-school soul and stylized beats courtesy of producers Timbaland and the Neptunes, Justin Timberlake's solo debut pulls off the tricky (and admirable) task of straddling the line between familiar and innovative.

Justin has risked so much, girl, to have your business. The teen-pop movement has been
filing toward the cliff of adulthood; as we watch, each adorable entertainer either falls or
makes it to the other side. Britney Spears completed the jump by a hair last year; LeAnn,
we're glad you wore that parachute; but Timberlake and producers the Neptunes (with
Timbaland in a sidecar) have vaulted over the canyon. The Neptunes' brilliant, i... More >

He's one giant step ahead of his audience, just like always, and though his talent and character were there for all to see, who knew he'd turn out this heady or beatwise? Maybe his mom, or his manager--a woman and an African American, respectively. There's plenty of Neptunes records, but none as nice; plenty of Timbaland records, but none as sexy. Tagging the lead track, he sums up his growth curve in six simple words that, somehow, no one ever thought of before: "Gentlemen, good night. Ladies, good mornin'." Then, as if he wasn't already in the door, he gooses the play with a relieved, knowing, friendly chuckle. Five straight hook tracks at the beginning are topped in the end by lubricious Janet and experimental Timbo. Any jerk who disses the awkwardness with which Justin calls out "Drums!" or gets guys and gals trading come-hithers should have been half as coltish at 21. He can still make *NSync records if he wants--the Brian McKnight mawk proves it. But if he does, it'll be out of the goodness of his heart. (Grade - A-)