POP STARS:***** Great Balls of Fire; **** Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door; *** Good Vibrations;** Maybe Baby; * Ain’t That a Shame : JODY WATLEY: “Larger Than Life.” MCA. ***

When it comes to pretty packaging, Watley’s got it all wrapped up. With her young-girl-in-love vocals given a protective, multilayered aural coating by producer Andre Cymone, the high-fashion singer holds her own with more exciting singers like Karyn White, Whitney Houston and Sheena Easton. Like other minimally gifted vocalists such as Pebbles and Janet Jackson, Watley excels in the area of sheer attitude and style.

The smartest ploy on the album is the use of rappers Eric B. & Rakim, who add harsh, rugged heft to “Friends.” Back in 1982, when Watley was relegated to little more than backup-singer status as a member of the pop/soul group Shalamar, an altogether different tune with the same title was the cheerily optimistic title cut on her last album with them. This time around, Watley has written the dark underside of that song, and her steely gaze is focused on jealousy, lies and betrayal.