“I must begin by thanking the Lord above for the opportunity to share the gift of music to the world.” So says Christina Aguilera, a teen star so sickly sweet she makes you want to gag.

She can certainly pout. She can also do a pretty good Whitney Houston impression.

The inclusion of a couple of infectious little r’n’b styled swingers like ‘Come On Over (All I Want Is You)’ will obviously win Britney’s pre-pubescent pop fans over, but the high quota of schmaltzy ballads indicates a long-term aim to become the new Whitney. (Two tracks even share the same titles as Houston’s singles ‘So Emotional’ and ‘Love Will Find A Way’.)

Christina’s already spent five weeks at number one in the State with her debut single ‘Genie In A Bottle’, and on this evidence, she’ll be at the top of the pop charts for quite some time yet. Oh dear.