Paris (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Paris Hilton (vocals, background vocals); Aaron Fishbein (guitar); Black Violin (violin); Lee Thornburg (trumpet); Eric Jorgensen (trombone); Fernando Garibay (programming); Taura "Aura" Jackson, Keely Pressly, Penelope Magnet, Kara DioGuardi, Pooh Bear, Jennifer Karr (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: J.R. Rotem; Serban Ghenea; Tony Maserati.

Photographers: James White ; Anthony Mandler.

At least as well known for being a party girl par excellence as she is for being an actress, author, and debutante, Paris Hilton added singing to her resume with the release of 2006's PARIS. The album is not exactly full of musical revelations: this is slickly produced, commercial dance-pop bearing the blinding gloss of celebrity on its 11 breezy, yet undeniably catchy tunes. Yet for a Jill-of-all-trades, Hilton does a fairly convincing job, thanks in part to her fine producers' (Scott Storch among them) knack for creating hip-moving grooves.

"Stars Are Blind," for example, the album's first single, threads a sweet, winding melody over a burbling Blondie-esque reggae beat for an immediately appealing pop confection. "I Want You" samples the horn line from "Grease" over a hip-hop-inflected dance hook, while "Turn It Up," the album's second single, recalls Britney Spears's teen-pop sex-kitten bounce. Hilton's voice isn't in quite the same league as her more established pop contemporaries, but her breathy performances suit the songs and hold up nicely. Given its immediate accessibility and Hilton's towering social profile and celebrity standing, PARIS is sure to reach both the radio and the top of the charts. minimize