Breathe

11/23/1999 3:00 AM, LAUNCH
Billy Altman

Yes, she's got a model's good looks, a rich, supple voice, and plenty of platinum behind her. Unfortunately, Faith Hill's music continues to be a vexing hodgepodge of appropriated styles and influences that work far better in single-song doses (exemplified by the huge hit, "This Kiss") than over the course of an entire album.

True, there's something here for just about everyone, from rock ("What's In It For Me?," "The Way You Love Me") and R&B ("Love Is A Sweet Thing") to pop (the title track and "Let's Make Love," a heat-seeking duet with husband Tim McGraw). Problem is, the whole doesn't really add up to much more than the sum of its parts. Then again, like they say on those soft drink ads, image is everything nowadays, isn't it?