"Supernova" Lisa Left Eye Lopes (Arista) review by Emily

With her debut solo outing Left Eye has set out to make a hippop album with a spiritual dimension to reflect her 'life altering experiences' in the healing centre at Usha Village. Not quite what we were expecting from TLC's fiery bad-girl-with-attitude.

Her reputation and larger-than-life persona precedes her and should have been the album's biggest selling point since, in all fairness, she isn't the world's greatest female emcee with her decidedly uncomplicated lyrics and limited vocal style. However, she's determined to quash your conceptions regarding 'who is Left Eye' before they were even fully established.

When she does attempt to do her Left Eye thang, her rough, aggressive (yet feminine) flow is let down by a distinct lack of hard-hitting raw, dirty beats to compliment. Alternatively tracks such as first-single 'Block Party' (complete with chorus apparently sung by indian chipmunks on helium) are hindered by cringeworthily catchy or comical (but it ain't funny) choruses/hooks designed to appeal to your 6 year old sister.

She experiments with a number of styles on this album ranging from banghra to dark brooding basslines to downright club joints (on Rock wilder-produced 'Hot!') to soulful R n B to the laidback p funk stylings of 'Jenny'. Unfortunately, consequently we're still left wondering what she's about on even the most fundamental level.

So, has she achieved her aims with this album? Well, it's pop in so much that she dips her toes into various styles but never fully explores and 'Supernova' boasts hooks that grate like fresh mozzerella. As for the spiritual leanings, they seem to deliver merely handfuls of clichés strung together because they rhymed and revealing little spiritual insight. So, if its soulful reflections you're looking for, you're best advised to dig out your Lauren Hill or India Arie. If, however, it's that bad-girl-with-attitude we once knew as Left Eye you're after, then you'll have to wait for her next guest-spot rap where her talent truly shines - cos here it seems that this star hasn't reached supernova yet afterall.

(2.5)