POP/ROCK
Delta Goodrem, "Delta" (Mercury/Decca)
The grandiose elements of "Delta" don't negate the core of the polished release: the humble traits of its star performer. Although this is her U.S. debut, Goodrem, 23, is already a sensation in her native Australia and a hitmaker around the world. The new release (her third overall) is slickly produced, yet the honesty she projects makes it easy to imagine Goodrem as an earnest singer/pianist pouring out her soul in tiny clubs across her homeland.
This project sounds like the work of an old pro. Goodrem packs the honest and uplifting qualities of her mentor, Olivia Newton-John, plus the stylized bombast of Celine Dion, the sense of adventure of Madonna, the introspection of Alanis Morissette and the vocal stunts of Mariah Carey.
It only takes one listen to the giant power-pop first single, "In This Life," to confirm Goodrem's broad reach as a performer. And she follows through with everything from the fun electronica/reggae of "You Will Only Break My Heart" to the stately ballad "Angels in the Room," from the vulnerable cancer-fighter of "Possessionless" to the ethereal dreamer of "One Day."
There's a bit of pandering with the hokey hip-hop nuances of "Barehands" and "Brave Face" as well as too much Dion-esque grandstanding, which temporarily gets in the way of Goodrem's seeming sincerity. Plus there's the question of whether there's much of an audience in the United States these days for new, upbeat adult-pop songs. Fortunately for the already successful Goodrem, she doesn't need America to validate her.
CHUCK CAMPBELL, SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
BLUES
Buddy Guy, "Skin Deep" (Silvertone/Zomba)
Blues may be an ageless music, but most players ease into old age with relaxed grace. Not Guy, who sounds as distinctively piercing on "Skin Deep" as on his classic '60s Chess Records cuts or his early '90s comeback albums.
