My Love Is Your Love - Houston, Whitney (CD 1998)

Over the last ten years, Whitney Houston's public image has went into the collective crapper. Drug busts, no shows at major events, and bizarre interviews are only some of the ways the formerly clean Houston has changed from the fresh faced teen bopping and dancing along to cornball (but really fun) pop in the mid 1980's. Recently while looking for the next album to review, I stumbled upon her 1998 release MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE and thought 'hmm, I'll review that next.' Well, long story short, here I am.

TRACKLISTING:
1. It's Not Right, But It's Ok
2. Heartbreak Hotel (f/ Faith Evans and Kelly Price)
3. My Love Is Your Love
4. When You Believe (with Mariah Carey)
5. If I Told You That
6. In My Business (f/ Missy Elliot)
7. I Learned From The Best
8. Oh Yes
9. Get It Back
10. Until You Come Back
11. I Bow Out
12. You'll Never Stand Alone
13. I Was Made To Love Him (hidden track)

"I Learned From The Best" is the first of three Diane Warren (Toni Braxton, Myra, Mariah Carey) penned songs present on this album, and it's probably the best of those three. Its mixture of synthesized beats and electric guitars provide a dramatic opening for the subtle but attitude filled verses. The verses consist of a semi-clap along beat, only an acoustic guitar and a simple synthesizer in hand. Overall, this song stands with some of her more prominent ballads but doesn't come close to rising above them.

"Heartbreak Hotel" pairs Whitney up with two of my personal favorite females, "bad girl" (get it? She's on Bad Boy Record? Yeah, I know, lame.) Faith Evans and former Mariah back-up vocalist Kelly Price. It finds Whitney dipping into the r&b pool more than in her standard adult contemporary midtempo songs. All three ladies sound great; Whitney commanding the verses, Faith holding down the bridge, and Kelly on the chorus. You can definitely tell all three are soloists at heart, especially Price. Almost reduced to a back-up singer, Price seems boxed in when we know she can out sing both Evans and Houston. Sometimes the ad libs can be a bit much and a bit overdone (on all three ladies' parts) but I'm just glad all three get a chance to show what they have because on most duets/group songs, not everyone even gets to sing. The beat is composed of something like a guitar getting one single string plucked at a time and a midtempo slinky r&b number. Although its not that out of the ordinary, its breezy nature allows all three divas to sing freely, although the video game-esque backup noises can be a bit much.

"Oh Yes" is one of the two songs produced by rapper/ producer Missy "Misdeamenor" Elliot, who back when this was released didn't have near the reputation she does now as being such an innovator. One of the purest ballads on this album, "Oh Yes" has a faint flute part during the choruses that is kind of refreshing. At least it wasn't the same old synthesized beat we normally see from the aging divas. It also has one of the more instrument heavy tracks, although "When You Believe" takes the cake in that area. The chorus is sung half stacatto and half normal by both Whitney and Missy, who provides back-up vocals, and its pretty catchy. The lyrics suit the song, and they (somewhat) tell a story, which is unusual for anything associated with Missy, as she is the female rapper version of Jerry Seinfeld. This song surprisingly finds Whitney reserved and even somewhat muted, which never really has happened. The ad libs make up for it a little, but even they don't make up for such low and mumbly vocals. Despite that fact, this song is a highlight.

The would-be blockbuster duet from 'The Prince Of Egypt' soundtrack "When You Believe" gives us the long awaited for pairing of supposed rivals Whitney and Mariah. Produced by Babyface (who produced four tracks), this song, although it comes off as a smidge contrived and forced, sounds great, especially since 1998 wasn't the best year for the busty blonde or the downtrodden diva. I know the lyrics are supposed to be all inspirational and Disney-friendly (was The Prince Of Egypt from Disney?), but they wouldn't make highlight status on either's solo albums. Also featuring Sheila E. on percussion and Shanice Wilson on back-up vocals, this song, despite its faults, has a catchy air about it and two amazing vocalists (who don't try to outdo each other but still stick to their respective styles; Mariah very sensual yet powerful and Whitney almost regal in nature), so I couldn't give it a low light.

QUICK SUMMARIES OF THE PATHETIC LOWLIGHTS:
"If I Told You That" has one of the oddest beats I've heard in a while, a piano driven almost video game background music beat. The lyrics follow the 'I've got a crush on you' formula without strong vocals or decent production. Although Whitney's vocals aren't as weak as in "Oh Yes", they still aren't up to par and when she DOES try to sing out, it's a huge jump from almost mumbling and belting and it just doesn't work.

"In My Business" is like "Whatchulookinat"-lite. Seemingly defending her marriage to New Edition out cast (and chronic sweater) Bobby Brown, it features bad vocals, head ache inducing lyrics, and a weak part from the usually reliable Missy. The girl may not have the most socially conscious lyrics, but at least she brings a certain energy to every song. Well, I guess you can't be perfect.

"You'll Never Stand Alone" is yet another Diane Warren penned song. It is so blah that it kind of lost my attention while writing this very review. Nothing about it stands out, usual Diane Warren stuff without the passion of "Unbreak My Heart" or the self assuring "Can't Take That Away".

In conclusion, this album may not be the best of her illustrious career, but it is above average. I recommend certain parts of this to certain people, there are r&b tracks for the fans of her late 90's material and ballads for fans of her other stuff.

Good songs- 9 out of 13, or 69%, 3.4 stars