This isn't a comeback ...

So what of Whitney's new album? Amazing comeback or damp squib? Neither really. 'I Look To You' is in pretty safe territory and lets be honest, did we expect any different? Opener 'Million Dollar Bill' is probably the bravest track on the collection. It has a pretty cool retro 70's funk/disco vibe going on and one of those 'sing along y'all ladies' choruses that 'It's Not Right But It's OK' excelled at.

The obligatory ballads are on here. We have already heard the R Kelly penned title track but the one we have been looking forward to is the Foster/Warren collaboration 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength'. Now if I didn't know my own ears, I would have thought Simon Cowell had asked Warren to pen the X-Factor/Idol winners song. I am sorry but it's a bit of a let down and doesn't deliver the greatness anticipated.

Then we have the R&B numbers. There is the pleasant 'Like I Never Left' with Akon and a couple of songs about how wonderful love is and lovers are - 'I know somebody is going to make love to this song tonight' muses Whitters on 'Worth It'. How horribly mawkish, and 'For The Lovers' only fares slightly better.

Moving swiftly on and its time to tick another box. 'Dance Whitney' pulls out all the stops on 'A Song For You'. The dramatic piano lead in, the slow to build intro climaxing in a track that frankly sounds a bit dated by modern dance standards. Not to worry though because the crossover appeal is being fully maximised here and the Freeemasons remix of 'Million Dollar Bill' and a Peter Rauhofer remix of 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' are already in the public domain (the former is really quite good). After all Houston has to keep her gay fanbase on side too.

The albums closer 'Salute' is a winner. It's the kind of dirt we wanted her to dish on this LP and whether this survivors anthem is about her relationship breakdown with Bobby Brown or not, we are all going to assume it is.

'This isn't a comeback. I have been here for years' muses Whitters on 'Salute' and this sums the album up nicely. We expected a brave comeback album but given the circumstances this was always going to be about easing Houston back into the public consciousness and not pushing the envelope. On this count 'I Look To You' delivers - it is a well produced and nicely polished affair with a couple of moments of brilliance.

1. Million Dollar Bill - *Andy's Ace*
2. Nothin’ But Love
3. Call You Tonight
4. I Look To You
5. Like I Never Left (featuring Akon)
6. A Song For You
7. I Didn’t Know My Own Strength
8. Worth It - *Gossie's Goose*
9. For The Lovers
10. I Got You
11. Salute