Former teen scream Devin Lima deliberately faded from view upon the disintegration of LFO, not reappearing until 2006 with a track on the
Sly & the Family Stone tribute album Different Strokes by Different Folks. It was a telling move, for Sly Stone's refusal to be pinned down by preconceptions and genre constraints obviously inspired
Devin Lima & the Cadbury Diesel's debut album,
Mozart Popart. The 11-song set is a dizzying display of musical virtuosity and versatility, with the band treating genres like elastic, stretching and twisting them with the delight of toddlers playing with Silly Putty. Many of the numbers dramatically shift styles between the verses and infectious pop choruses, with "Crafty Bitch," an awesome blend of rock and rap, the most theatrical example. On that number, lead guitarist Tony Valley gets to show off his most ferocious rock licks, and on "Rollercoaster" his best classic riff -- both numbers a potent reminder of his hard rock past. But Valley revels in the opportunity to graze fresh pastures, from reggae to funk, country & western to surfy '60s R&B, the last pairing in the space of one song, the fabulous "Can't Be Denied." His work is outstanding throughout, with Lima's rhythm guitar nearly his equal, and no less so the rhythm team of Corey Amaral and Joaquin Santos, who are just as much at home with jungly dance rhythms as funky beats, hip-hop breaks, stomping '60s British Invasion, and R&B. Guesting veteran keyboardist Martin Blockson's oftentimes exquisitely understated work intensifies the album's atmospheres and beautifully highlights the strong melodies. No wonder that Lima is having the time of his life, for no matter where he wants to wander, the band helps blaze the perfect musical path for him. And wander he does, for although echoes of his boy band past are still in evidence, particularly on the reggae-fied "Queensploitation," he too breaks new ground. His soulful vocals are showcased on the Christmas-themed "Can't Be Denied" and the funky "Rocky Road," he spotlights his best
Eminem rap on "Bitch" and his dreamiest styling for the gorgeous Eastern- tinged "Me Veda," before belting it out
Little Richard-fashion in the closing bars of the R&B scorcher "Cherish." Across this set, Lima exhibits both breathtaking versatility and, hands down, the best performances of his life. The almost ludicrously catchy "Hangin' with You" is the obvious choice for a first single, an exuberant song that nods to new wave, rock, and surf, all tied up in the perfect pop package. There are at least six more to choose from after that. No longer just a prepubescent dreamboat, Devin Lima has all the makings of the next generation's
Justin Timberlake. ~ Jo-Ann Greene