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'Immigrant' Songs A 'Carnival' Of Stars, Styles

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By CURTIS ROSS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2007

It's a carnival, all right, and you never know who might show up. In Wyclef Jean's case, the guests range from the not unexpected (Sizzla, Mary J. Blige, Chamillionaire) to the "who knew he had their phone number" (Paul Simon, Serj Tankian, Louis Farrakhan - on violin).

Not surprisingly, this carnival wanders all over the place. The fact that there's any coherence at all is due to Jean's slick but engaging production and the immigration theme that runs through the album.

The toughest moments occur right up front. The styles of System of a Down vocalist Tankian and dancehall MC Sizzla hardly could be more divergent, but the combination - along with a stuttering, distorted guitar riff - powers the tense "Riot."

Shakira's voice aches in an almost countryish fashion on "King & Queen," her promise of shelter sounding more like the Statue of Liberty's than a lover's. Jean uses Norah Jones' voice for a similar effect on "Any Other Day."

"Hollywood Meets Bollywood (Immigration)" celebrates the U.S. melting pot by blending hip hop and Indian pop with a fluid Chamillionaire rap.

Simon's verses on "Fast Car" take a metaphorical approach while Jean's are all too real in their stories of young lives taken quickly.

"Selena," a no-doubt sincere shout-out to the late Mexican star, apes her style a bit too much. "Touch Your Button/Carnival Jam" ends the album on a red-hot note but almost doesn't survive its silly, gimmicky opening.

Of course, that's often been the problem with Jean's albums - he can do just about anything and rarely resists the temptation.

But "Carnival" works more often than not, and Jean's emotional response to recent immigration issues gives this album a heart that's rare in music so slickly produced.

Download this: "Riot"

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