This is the third full album from what used to be the clean-cut boys of global pop. Celebrity finds an older and wiser 'N Sync elevated to the higher echelons of popdom generally reserved for old timers (relatively speaking) like the Backstreet Boys. Now that 'N Sync have earned the right to stop writing solely about happy boy meets nice girl, the lyrics have a snarling quality and are more blasting commentaries on the world of pop music or bitter ripostes to their critics. The opening track and first single "Pop" is a dark, electronic-driven defence of the scene with the arrogant boast "We got the gift of melody". The cynicism continues with the title track "Celebrity", a Michael Jackson style swing beat with the opening line "If I wasn't a celebrity, would you be so nice to me". "Gone" is much more like the 'N Sync we know and love--nice strings, nice guitar, lovely melody but lacks some of the bite that their new squelchy sub-bass style has; as does "Something Like You", a weak ballad so wet it's dripping. Aside from the odd lapse in attitude, this is by far the most consistent and innovative album the boys have made to date. --David Trueman