GrooveOut Cher and Cher Alike Her new album may be much like the old–but when it comes to the legendary Cher, more of a good thing is just fine with us. Plus some break beat star-tripping with The Chemical Brothers. by Chris Sill

CHER

Living Proof (Warner Brothers)

It’s a known fact in the music business that few things are more difficult than following up a hit album–especially when it’s a worldwide smash, selling more than 11 million copies, as was the case with Cher. While the phenomenal success of Believe introduced the Academy Award-winning actress and gay icon to a new generation of fans, simultaneously that success also created a tremendous amount of pressure and anticipation for what is to come next. Not that it’s a bad spot to be in. Undoubtedly there are plenty of divas who would kill to have the kind of success Cher has seen at this stage of her career. But the question remains, can Cher continue this success and have us all believing again? With Living Proof the diva puts her winning formula to the test.

Enlisting a talented production ensemble that includes Mark Taylor from Believe, songwriting superwoman Diane Warren, and Nick Bracegirdle, the man behind the hit dance act Chicane, Living Proof opens with an onslaught of Euro-dance anthems. Among them "The Music’s No Good Without You" and "Song for the Lonely" command complete attention. "The Music’s No Good" is already out as a single in Europe, and "Song for the Lonely" will be released in the U.S. on January 14, after being debuted by Cher on the American Music Awards January 9. After listening to the uplifting, almost patriotic lyrics, one can’t help seeing this song embraced by America. Hats off to Warner Brothers for choosing this as the first U.S. single.

Things slow down for just a minute with the R&B-fueled "Rain Rain," but Cher picks up the pace again with "Love So High" and "Body to Body." Here she continues her love affair with Latin rhythms, with DJ and producer Tony Moran helping pour on the spice. If there’s a fallible part to Living Proof, it comes late in the equation. "Real Love" quite simply should have been left out. Nothing about it sounds original; from its tired chord structure and drum track to the annoying vocal acrobatics electronically created by the vocoder. And although Mr. Bracegirdle provides his signature glorious soundtrack on "You Take It All," the song itself keeps this one from surfacing.

Ultimately, time will tell if Living Proof proves itself. There’s little artistic ground broken here. In fact, everything about it including the marketing strategy is a copycat of Believe–that’s why America will be near last in seeing it on store shelves, with the exception of imports. But copycat or not, Cher delivers a bubbly set of dance jams that will pleasantly distract any within earshot, and that kind of distraction is something that most Americans are searching for these days. Besides, being a living legend entitles you to some liberties, doesn't it?

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS

Come With Us (Astralwerks)

"Come with us, and leave your planet behind. Bright and clear we see the light. Our universe is at your side." An out-of-this-world opening track invitation like this one is nothing new for fans of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, the duo who make up the Chemical Brothers. Like their previous three albums, Come With Us extends an open invite aboard their spaceship, traveling to their personal psychedelic world of electronica. Come With Us puts down much of its roots in house, in a slight departure from their signature break beat vibe. Not to fear, quite a bit of the album excels and pushes the boundaries of today’s sound, including the house tracks. Yes, it’s a bumpy flight, but neither seatbelts nor RSVPs are needed here, just an open mind and plenty of room to roam.

All aboard? First stop Africa, for a fierce tribal tech-house workout with "It Began in Africa." Already released as a single, this monster of a club record has already been igniting dance floors the past few months. Moving on, the boys take a crack at the filtered disco-house sound with "Star Guitar." An orgy of deep soothing bass lines, punchy kick drums, and fazed-out keyboard washes create one of the most sensuous feel-good tracks of the new year. On "Hoops" the boys get to some serious booty shaking with this pure electro jam.

Label mate Beth Orton shows up on "The State We’re In," making vocal magic once again with a dreamy downtempo song, one of only two on the entire CD. The other sees ex-Verve vocalist Richard Ashcroft searching the galaxy for answers on "The Test." If there’s such a sound as psychedelic folk, this is it. Thick guitar strumming meets Middle Eastern wind instruments while cruising through the Milky Way on acid.

Come With Us is a trip you won’t want to end, as the Chemical Brothers show us once again why they are at the top of their game. Passengers awaiting takeoff should mark January 29 as their departure day.