Artists return with dull material

Lead-off singles show artists may not fare well with new releases.
LONG ISLAND NEWSDAY
Guess who's back?
Yes, Slim Shady's back, along with a whole host of megastars, from Britney Spears Federline to the un-retired Celine Dion, getting ready to unleash new albums between now and the holidays. However, as the lead-off singles and videos start hitting radio and MTV, there are signs that some of music's heavy hitters may be striking out this time.
Eminem's new single, "Just Lose It," (Aftermath/Interscope) certainly seems aptly named. Though his albums have always been uneven, the lead-off single from each of his albums has always been stunningly fresh -- until now.
"Just Lose It" includes recycled chunks of "Without Me" and "Lose Yourself," pokes at Michael Jackson, Pee-wee Herman's sampled laugh and even a high-profile fart joke, all piled onto a generic beat and lazy, plinky synths.
It may be too early to say Eminem's lost his touch, but if this is the best his upcoming "Encore" CD has to offer, Slim Shady better start buddying up to Dr. Dre again for some phat beats. You know, like the one Dre handed over to his new prot & eacute;g & eacute;, rapper The Game, for his hot debut single "Westside Story" (Aftermath/Interscope), which has heads ringin' on both coasts, as well as his real-life tales of being shot five times in a drug deal gone bad.
Poor attempts
Question: What happened to the fun-loving, trend-setting gals from Destiny's Child?
The reunited trio's first single, "Lose My Breath," (Sony) is uncharacteristically bland and jumbled, instead of stylish and crisp. Beyonc & eacute;, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams sound like they're playing down the fact they can sing in favor of breathing heavy -- you know, like Britney Spears on the rare occasion she tries to sing and dance at the same time.
Speaking of Mrs. Britney, the only reason her remake of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" (Jive) is even moderately interesting is the crawl-around-in-her-underwear video that goes with it. When it comes on the radio, it sounds like karaoke night at the motel lounge -- and not in a good way.
It would easily be the worst remake out at the moment if it wasn't for Celine Dion's painfully precious take on "Beautiful Boy" (Epic), the once-lovely John Lennon ballad that she thrashes for her new "Miracle" concept album dedicated to the birth of her son.
Not all bad
Luckily, veteran rockers U2 and R.E.M. haven't forgotten what fans love about them. The new U2 single "Vertigo" (Interscope) bristles with energy, a throwback to the band's rawer, Edge-driven days circa "War," with pointy, atmospheric guitar solos and big, bounding bass lines from Adam Clayton. Bono also sounds swept up in the dizzying musical backdrop, offering up everything from a bilingual chorus to a Ramonesy punkish end.
U2 helped us heal with "All That You Can't Leave Behind." "Vertigo" is a good sign that the band has decided the time is right to start rocking with the forthcoming "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" CD.
R.E.M.'s gorgeous "Leaving New York" (Warner Bros.) is a fitting introduction to the lush melancholy of its "Around the Sun" CD. Michael Stipe takes some chances with the song's adventurous verses, but the chorus will easily become a fan sing-along, its most memorable pop song since "Man on the Moon."
U2 and R.E.M. show how superstars can avoid getting trapped by their past successes. They simply make the music that interests them instead of chasing whatever fad is currently burning up the charts. After all, that's the best way they can compete with the hunger and fire of the newcomers.