Rod Stewart - Human

Rod Stewart may yet have the last laugh on those who have accused him of selling out one of rock's great vocal talents. After all, Rod the Mod has matured rather gracefully into a pop singer while many of his rooster-haired contemporaries seem trapped in '70s rock-drag caricature. If Stewart's ongoing sense of musical curiosity was confirmed by his surprising collection of '90s U.K. rock covers (1998's When We Were the New Boys), this album seems more bent on career reinforcement. Helmed by executive producer Rob Dickins, a lineup of production pros (including Mark Taylor and Brian Rawlings, the team behind Cher's Believe) keeps the sound polished, yet warm and spacious. Stewart takes on a mature, reflective slate of songs by an array of contemporary writers (including Macy Gray) and a strong cover of Curtis Mayfield's "It Was Love That We Needed." The album also features a handful of guest stars (including guitarists Slash and Mark Knopfler) and a surprising, playful duet with contemporary stylist/Dickins protégé Helicopter Girl on "Don't Come Around Here." --Jerry McCulley