Anyone who saw Leona Lewis's performances on The X Factor a year ago (particularly her rendition of jazz standard 'Summertime') will be well aware that the young Londoner is a supremely talented pop vocalist; even the most world-weary, cynical and fervently anti-Simon Cowell activist can't deny that. It was clear, too, that Lewis was more likeable than many of her contemporaries, with less of an ego to negotiate and a humility rarely seen in young, lauded popstrels. It was this apparent 'lack of personality', however, that caused many to doubt that she'd make her own distinctive mark on the pop world. Additionally, does the world need another Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston or Christina Aguilera? Well, according to the majority of the record-buying public, it does - this album has already shattered numerous records, becoming the fourth fastest-selling album of all time, and the fastest-selling debut ever in Ireland and the UK. What Spirit ultimately is, however, is a collection of generic, mundane pop songs that even a technically-gifted vocalist of Lewis's capacity can't turn to gold. It's blatantly obvious that Houston, Carey and Aguilera are Lewis's reference points, with practically all of the fourteen tracks on offer here touching on the vocal dramatics and faux-emotion the warbling triumvirate encapsulate. Nevertheless, Spirit is far from unlistenable; Whatever It Takes, Take A Bow and The Best You Never Had stand out amidst the tedious, often-overdone ballads, which are unfortunately far too plenteous to have any significant effect - even her cover of Ewan MacColl's The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is dripping with forced sincerity. With this album set for release in the US next March, there's no stopping the Leona Lewis gravy train, but her success does pose a bigger question: is technical capability all that matters in pop nowadays, and does the talent to emote and innovate now stand for absolutely nothing?
