Nick Lachey

Nick Lachey assumes his place as the broken-but-understanding ex, something like Cat Stevens in "Wild World," only more "boy band." Taking this stance in nearly every single cut on the album, Lachey's persona comes off driven and ragged, yet anything but wimpy. And with the very public events of his life, it is impossible to interpret these songs without viewing his and Jessica Simpson's nationally televised divorce as subtext. "On Your Own" may be the best song of his whole career.