Nick Carter

If anything will drive a nail into the Backstreet Boys' coffin, it's this surprisingly impressive solo album from Nick Carter. The first of the Fab Five to break out on his own, Carter reveals a rocker's heart that's lurked under his high-gloss pop exterior. While he rasps and struts through his 12-song debut, we're not talking headbanging mayhem here. Carter excels in the brand of guitar rock that put Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams on the map. The elder Carter conjures the militaristic flamboyance of Queen on "Girls In The USA," or the teasing coyness of "Raspberry Beret"-era Prince on "My Confession." The anthemic "Is It Saturday Yet" is another highlight. Despite a seven-year tenure singing other people's songs as a member of America's favorite boy band, Carter proves himself an able tunesmith, penning five of the tracks on the disc, and plays some fine guitar. --Jaan Uhelszki

- Jive