Living Proof

Her first album since 1998's quadruple-platinum Believe and its platinum #1 title track, the pop, dance-friendly 'Living Proof' features the Diane Warren-penned 'When You Walk Away' - unavailable on the European version (replaces 'You Take It All'). Produced by the likes of Chicane, Rick Nowells and Norwegian production team Stargate, 'Living Proof' impressively captures Cher at her seductive dancefloor best. Warner Brothers Records.

If the fans who grooved to Believe still clamor for more, there's little doubt that Living Proof will quickly achieve the same chromatic status as Cher's new hair color. The multitalented entertainer is placing a safe bet on the fortitude of her latest incarnation as disco diva to support a second album of dance club tracks. Other pop femme fatales of late are experimenting with subtleties in rhythm and nuance, but subtlety is not one of Cher's selling points. She's been quoted as comparing "Song for the Lonely" to U2's sound; indeed, through Cher's discofied ears, there are brief moments where the track riffs on U2's euphoric "Beautiful Day" and the two songs share a hopeful sentiment. "Love So High" and "Body to Body, Heart to Heart" throw the prerequisite Latin guitar and percussion into the mix, and the buzzing back beats on her cover of "Love One Another" (last heard on Dutch singer Amber's self-titled release) make it one of the CD's tightest songs. Cher's vocals--a taste we've had more than 35 years to acquire--are strong, and her production team enhances her limited range with studio tricks. Living Proof will appeal more to Cher's devoted fans than electronica purists, but her missive is relished by both sects: leave your worries at the door and get out on the dance floor. --Beth Massa