Jennifer Lopez

This Is Me . . . Then

(Epic)

J.Lo's third album has coming of age written all over it. The former Latin star is crying out for acceptance and seems to be screaming 'this is me, take it or leave it'.

So who is she? Everything from the softly lit cover shot to the lyrics of these mostly sickening love songs say the sexy screen and recording goddess is actually just the sweet, ordinary girl made good - who happens to be in love with, in case you haven't heard, fellow Hollywood star Ben Affleck.

The problem is Lopez is not a girl and her childish vocal capabilities cannot carry what is otherwise a sophisticated, if overproduced, R&B effort.

Lopez has ditched her Latin 'roots' and is now positioning herself as a black diva. Apart from a few bars of romantic Latin guitar in tracks such as Belong To Me and I've Been Thinking, we have what could have been a reasonably good slow groove.

The hit single, I'm Gonna Be Alright, aims a load of up-yours attitude at former boyfriend Sean 'P Diddy' Combs; the funk of All I Have with LL Cool J works and the catchy tune and 'I'm the same old girl from the 'hood' sentiment of Jenny From The Block could be another chart-topper.

But the rest make for nothing more than wedding-waltz market fodder.

The lyrics to Dear Ben probably say it all: 'I love you / You're perfect / A manifestation of my dreams / You make my / Body feel / A million different things / There's no way I'd leave you / It's just not a reality.'

Anyone got a bucket?