Fridae

Ms Scary has always held the opinion that the big band sound of yesteryear is popular only amongst retirees on Tombola Nights or the misguided producers of "talent" shows such as American Idol.

Hence her reservations about reviewing the sophomore release of pop-revivalist Michael Buble (pronounced boo-blay) whose singing style and dressing style pay tribute (or rip-off) the coolest bunch of cats collectively known as the Rat Pack.

Mis-dubbed as the "new Frank Sinatra" when he released his first and critically acclaimed self-titled album in 2003, Mr Buble repeats the same old formula of his aforementioned debut for It's Time - in other words, he mostly "sing(s) songs of dead white guys and dead black guys" (in Buble's own words not mine).

Covering old standards (eg. Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" and Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is") and a selection of contemporary songs (eg. The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love," Leon Russell's "Song For You" and Holland-Dozier-Holland's "How Sweet It Is"), It's Time offers an all-too-predictable collection of swing-jazz and adult-contemporary pop.

So while the Canadian crooner's latest release does provide for a pleasant enough listen, Ms Scary would suggest that he avoids the pitfalls associated with one-trick ponies by paying heed to what Otis Redding has to say: "Oh she may be weary/ them young girls they do get wearied/ Wearing that same old miniskirt dress" ("Try A Little Tenderness").

Scary's Selected Spins: "Feeling Good," "You Don't Know," "Quando Quando Quando," "Home," "How Sweet It Is" and "Song For You."