Overall, Dion's albums have been tepid, predictable exercises in the sort of pristine bombast that appeals most to adult-contemporary radio programmers. Still, if given a strong enough melody and a seductively sentimental lyric, her crystalline voice can work wonders.
This greatest-hits collection (due Tuesday), which features seven new tracks, generally showcases the Canadian songbird at her best. Early singles such as the delicate "If You Asked Me To" and the Peabo Bryson duet "Beauty and the Beast" still have a graceful charm, as does last year's sparkling R. Kelly duet "I'm Your Angel." Even over-the-top numbers such as "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" and the once-inescapable "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From 'Titanic')" sound good a few years after their radio-saturation heyday.
