Chris de Burgh - Now and Then (Universal) **

4:05pm Friday 25th April 2008

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EITHER you're a fan or you're not, I guess, but I can't get past Chris de Burgh's ham-fisted attempt to rhyme the words "dance" and "romance" on his syrupy signature Lady in Red.

Maybe it's the curse of over-familiarity; maybe it's just not a very good song, but it's like fingernails on a blackboard to these ears.

Don't Pay the Ferryman is equally queasy territory with its cod-rocker credentials and forced vocal stylings.

Missing You suffers similarly from a lack of authenticity; The Words I Love You is simply drivel and High On Emotion is anything but.

The one new song, Live For the Day (ironic title for a backwards-looking hits package), is another insipid ballad, this time featuring pan-Arab talent show finallist, Tina Yamout.