Nicole Scher-whatever ditches the background dancers for more video face time in this bad Fergie-meets-Missy Elliott-esque turn of a solo debut. Bolstered by an epic introduction from producer Polow Da Don and an atmospheric melange of big band blasts and Mad Max industrial grimace (formerly the backing beat of Chilli & Missy Elliott's hip hop curiosity "Straight Jack"), "Whatever You Like" predictably doesn't have Nicole venturing too far away from the male fantasy nature of the Pussycat Dolls. But coming off a string of surprisingly great singles, this blatant mis-step makes one wonder why she would escape the safety of a successful, ready-made girl group to become such an easy target on her own.

Sounding like a blow-up doll come to life, Scher-ding-dong pants "I can do whatever you like", anxious to see what's behind the zipper of the hunk she's eyeing. Why Nicole didn't dismiss the sexed up PCD image entirely to seperate herself as a singular artist is ridiculous, as is much of this, from the faux-ragga raps and Polow's stalker-ish spoken interludes. This was her shot to prove herself beyond the pre-fab shtick of her former groups, but out of fear of being shut off the charts, she gives into her testosterone appeal with a tune that Helen Reddy probably wasn't anticipating when she stated "I am woman/ Hear me roar" all those years ago.

Scher-zipadeedoohdah's contribution is pointless (and a bit embarrassing) but the production's oft-kilter pounce and TI's cool confidence saves "Whatever You Like" from being complete garbage. It'll be interesting to see the kind of reaction this song will get. If it flops as badly as it really should, watch for her to reclaim her lead Doll spot quicker than she can snatch off her diamond-encrusted bra.



Download: "Whatever You Like" (YFH)