13. Justin Timberlake: Justified (2002)

Justified, on the other hand, has been winning over new fans for a year now. Taking a step away from his successful 5-member boy band, JT hired Timbaland and The Neptunes to help him become the new Michael Jackson. And damn if it doesn't almost work! Songs like Last Night and Rock Your Body effectively capture that King Of Pop spirit and Like Nothing Else even sounds like a MJ ballad.

Before I go on, I must admit that the version I have of Justified is different. I ripped the songs before giving the CD away, and arranged and edited them when I burned it. Here's my tracklisting:
1. Seniorita
2. Like I Love You
3. Let's Take A Ride
4. Cry Me A River
5. Still On My Brain
6. Last Night
7. Like Nothing Else
8. (Oh No) What You Got
9. Never Again
10. Rock Your Body
11. Take It From Here

Anyway, on the getting personal tip, there are a few songs here that seem aimed at Britney...Never Again and Still On My Brain are both addressed toward a lover who has betrayed our poor hero. But the showstopper is Cry Me A River, an amazing song which gets better with every listen. Supposedly, it encapsulates what happened between Justin and Britney...she cheated and he couldn't forgive her. Listening to it with that in mind makes it even more enjoyable!

So the question remains, which is preferable: the pop artist who keeps it superficial, or the one who bares her soul? Is pop music more about impulse or thought? If it's the former, than Britney is the ultimate pop star, but if it's the latter, Justin shines brighter.

Justified Rating : B+
Justified Fave Song: Take It From Here

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