Having shot to fame with the Fugees, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, is Lauryn Hill's first solo effort. Having written and produced the album herself, lack of commitment can't be blamed for any shortcomings. All that's left to judge is Lauryn Hill's song writing and production abilitiy.

The songs on The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill are a mix of hip-hop and soul with Lauryn Hill alternating between singing and rapping. Sometimes it works, but not always. On the opener Lost Ones when Hill sings the song soars but is let down by her rapping, while on Doo Wop (That Thing) the mix of rap and soulful singing works perfectly. Its not that Lauryn Hill is a poor rapper, as shown on Every Ghetto, Every City amongst others, its just sometimes she chooses to rap when the wiser choice would be to unleash her exceptional singing.

When the Hill vocal chords are stretched as on Ex-Factor & Everything Is Everything, to name but two, the results are breath taking. Luckily for Lauryn Hill her voice manages to cover up some of the weaker songs on the album. That some of the most memorable melodies on the album are borrowed only serves to highlight the more average Hill penned tracks. Superstar, with its liberal use of The Doors' Light My Fire & Forgive Them Father which borrows heavily from Bob Marley's Concrete Jungle far outshine songs such as Final Hour & Nothing Even Matters which tend to meander aimlessly toward their conclusion.

With The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, Hill has enhanced her reputation as a fine singer and some tracks, Ex-Factor in particular, show her to be a talented song writer. With the help of a more experienced producer to guide her through this album could have been so much better. As it is, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill is the best Fugee solo effort so far.

On their previous two albums, Hole and in particular lyric writer Courtney Love gave the impression of a band hurtling toward self destruction. Live Through This was an album full of venom with their attitude reflected in both the music and lyrics, making it compelling, but at times unsettling listening.

Celebrity Skin however finds Courtney Love and her band in a very different frame of mind. The events which transpired in Love's personal life after the release of their debut could easily have destroyed Hole. This album however indicates that not only has Courtney Love survived, but has gained a healthy scepticism about the whole famous rock star lifestyle.

Celebrity Skin is a much more melodic and radio friendly album, while still managing to retain some of the venom of their debut album. The album's title track, one of the albums better songs, being a perfect marriage of scathing lyrics and guitars to a catchy tune. Malibu & Heaven Tonight are pure California pop. Were it not for Love's lyrics and husky delivery this album could easily descend into the mire of bland rock albums produced by the insipid bands which seem to proliferate on America's west coast. As it is songs such as Northern Star fight hard to keep the album interesting, while numbers like Boys On The Radio, which echoes The Bangles at their worst, threaten to drag this album into the realms of mediocrity.

Courtney Love's lyrics concentrate on hitting out at the capricious nature of fame and celebrity. The diatribe of Playing Your Song is an obvious swipe at those who cashed in on Kurt Cobain's death. It's on tracks like this when the fire in Love's belly is stoked, that Hole comes alive.

Overall Celebrity Skin is a mixed album. Their are a few too many bland songs, yet when they combine venom and pop melodies Hole sparkle. Unfortunately this album doesn't sparkle often enough.