Cher: Love Hurts (Geffen)

INEVITABLY, THE title song is a cover of the Everly Brothers standard, as covered previously by journeyman Brit rockers Nazareth. A pub singer staple, 'Love Hurts' is a safe bet for a hit, as is everything on this cynical and masterful AOR album. Cher's last record, Heart Of Stone, was not a fluke success, nor was her eponymous Geffen debut. For both, she employed the best pop rock songwriters, including Michael Bolton ('I Found Someone'), Diane Warren and notorious soft metal hack Desmond Child. Love Hurts features precisely the same kind of songs and will run up multi-platinum sales sure as Arsenal are playing in the European Cup next season.