Remember when the worst thing a kid could do was love heavy metal? That parental fear has been replaced by the specter of prepubescent Black Eyed Peas fans.A stick-thin grade-schooler singing the booty anthem "My Humps" -- or yelping "London Bridge," the off-color centerpiece of this solo debut from Peas singer Fergie -- has replaced the black-clad stoner in symbolizing pop's degradation of youth. Having invented (really, repopularized) the dirty nursery rhyme, this "positive" hip-hop crew has a lot to answer for."The Duchess," like the Peas' recent Fergiecentric hits, blends self-empowerment with blatant goods-pushing to present sexuality as a competitive sport. "My body stays vicious, I stay up in the gym working on my fitness," Fergie raps with appealing vulgarity. Later, she cries, "Would you love me if I didn't work out?"Inborn grace doesn't factor into Fergie's formula, especially with Peas mastermind will.i.am at the helm. Savvy overstatement is this flourishing producer's game as he reworks the soul classic "Get Ready" for "Here I Come" or electrocutes British retro-pop for the swoony "Velvet."The reckless song structures are dizzying -- guest Rita Marley is wasted on "Mary Jane Shoes," which begins as funky reggae and inexplicably turns sorta punk -- but the ADHD effect can be fun, like eating a whole box of cookies.The problem is the Duchess herself. Fergie exudes earthy charm, but can't keep up with the breakneck music. She forces emotion on the slower showstoppers, and she's all cartoon kitten on the come-ons.

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