A Nu Day - Tamia

Canadian-born chanteuse Tamia's second album, A Nu Day, is a nice pop-R&B record that doesn't set off to break much new ground. She has more of a traditional singer's voice (à la Vanessa Williams) than the guttural growls of many of her day's R&B contemporaries. That said, this album provides for a pleasurable and unchallenging listening experience. As was the norm for that day and age, the album contains its share of man-dissing tunes, notably the two openers, "Dear John" and the set's first single, "Can't Go for That," which is also offered as the set's closer, in remix form, sampling the Hall & Oats hit from which it's inspired. There's also an adequate cover of the old DeBarge hit "Love Me in a Special Way." Some of the set's strongest material, however, includes funkier tunes penned by Dallas Austin, "Go," and Missy Elliott ("Wanna Be," arguably the set's biggest highlight). Dubious offerings include "Un'h--to You," which may sound somewhat funky, but the over-sexed lyrics come off sounding more awkward than legitimate (imagine Vanessa Williams singing about "finding her spot"). Another song, "Long Distance Love," tries awkwardly to make poetry out of lyrics that include the words "AT&T," "Bell Atlantic," and "Sprint," with awkward commercial-sounding results that only serve to date and cheapen this otherwise engaging set. Regardless, Tamia's voice is a pleasure to the ear, and the set boasts its share of strong songs. Other notables include "Stranger in My House" (the second single) and "If I Were You." ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide