The Bottom Line
Nick Lachey's first post-Jessica single seeks to accomplish 2 goals. The first is undoubtedly a shot across the bow of Ship Simpson designed to garner public sympathy for Nick in the wake of the Lachey-Simpson divorce. The second is to establish Nick Lachey as a compelling solo artist. For the first goal, he is probably somewhat successful. For the second, he still has a long way to go.
Listen to "What's Left of Me" at AOL.
Pros
- Pleasant, if undistinguished, vocals
- Pop standard lyrics
Cons
- Unconvincing vocals emotionally
- Bland string arrangement
Description
- Mellow string-based pop backing
- Competent but uninvolving vocals
- Gradually building power ballad
Guide Review - Nick Lachey - What's Left of Me
It was probably inevitable that the recent ugly divorce between Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey would spill into their music. However, it was a bit surprising that it happened so soon. Divorce papers were signed in December, 2005, and by February, 2006, Lachey's single "What's Left of Me" began telling his story. Lyrically, such lines as "I'm half the man I thought I would be / But you can have / What's left of me" could work, but, musically, the words get mired in icky pop quicksand.
Nick Lachey's solo work has suffered from the same problems that afflicted his former group 98 Degrees. While sung competently, his songs fail to linger in the minds of listeners. Convincing emotion is completely absent here. Lachey is singing about being torn apart in an ugly breakup, but he might as well be singing about painting his house.
The power ballad production of "What's Left of Me" makes it a fair space-filler on the radio airwaves, but in 6 months most pop fans will have forgotten the song. If Nick Lachey wants to establish himself as a pop singer to compete with the Justin Timberlakes of the world, he will have to do better.
