The Black Eyed Peas: Monkey Business

THE BLACK EYED PEAS Monkey Business (A&M Records)

Having started out as this decade's answer to Arrested Development, the Black Eyed Peas are that rare example of a socially conscious group whose songs have done more damage as pop anthems than activist missives--and this record, their fourth, is their most rock-heavy, radio-ready yet. "Pump It" kicks off with a sample of Dick Dale's "Miserlou" (the theme from Pulp Fiction), the single "Don't Phunk With My Heart" is an infectious OutKast-style romp, and "Don't Lie" is a Caribbean-tinged singalong. There are also a raft of collaborations: James Brown brings the soul on "They Don't Want Music" (he's the godfather); Sting brings the pain on the Bob Marley-esque "Union" (he's the king); and Justin Timberlake brings the white-boy funk on "My Style" (he's the crown-prince designate). SM

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