The Great Unknown
Rob Thomas (Emblem/Atlantic) Two stars
Taken at face value, could there be a less apt album title than The Great Unknown for a Rob Thomas record in 2015? The Matchbox Twenty frontman's third solo album is exactly what you expect it would be. For Thomas fans, this will probably be a satisfying collection of tracks. For anyone looking for something new or adventurous, attention would be better turned elsewhere. Lead single Trust You won't get the clubs popping, but it's a respectable attempt at a banger. Much more pleasant is the Paul McCartney-esque strum-along Hold on Forever. The title track is also pretty enough. Thomas can still write a good song, but this is mostly a record overstuffed with please-everyone synth beats, with no apparent reason to exist except to exist. You have to wonder what place Thomas, the solo artist, has in the pop landscape nearly 20 years (yeah, you're old) into his recording career. He's rich, famous and doesn't seem to have anything personal or insightful to tell us about himself here. The Great Unknown will fill a void for diehard fans, but that's about it.
kjeffers@thenational.ae
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
