Latest Effort by ‘N Sync Adds a Bit of Toughness

** ‘N SYNC

“No Strings Attached”

Jive

The best thing about J.C., Justin, Lance, Joey and Chris is that they don’t take themselves as seriously as some boy bands. Any bunch willing to spoof themselves on “Saturday Night Live” are clearly secure enough to get a kick out of taking some lumps for their success.

Still, ‘N Sync’s second album (not counting their Christmas disc) isn’t strictly good clean fun. In fact, the clangorous thump-’n’-grind of “Digital Get Down” is a paean to long-distance computer sex. Talk about growing up fast! The group sticks with the super-slick R&B-pop; formula that has served it so well, but some fresh ingredients--monolithic dance breaks, scratching and bits of rapping (including a guest spot by TLC’s Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes)--bring ‘N Sync straight into the ‘90s.

Rather than doe-eyed entreaties, the lads try a little toughness this time, from the relationship kiss-off of the standout “Bye Bye Bye” to the he’s-bad-for-you overtures of the title track. There’s still room for a few treacly ballads, but while the singers always hit their marks, they fail to convey real emotion. The self-pitying a cappella breakup tune “I Thought She Knew” provides a glimpse beyond the prefab grooves, but it’s like opening the Wizard of Oz’s curtain and realizing that behind the imposing image are some utterly unremarkable powers.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The album will be in stores Tuesday.