With the music industry clinging to any sign of monetary success, pop tween-dom is the place to be. The Jonas Brothers have the most talent in that realm, but the skyrocketing double career of Miley Cyrus is impressive as well.
Her latest album, Breakout, is Miley without the Hannah Montana. The spotlight is her voice, which is at times tedious but still better than most of her Disney counterparts.
The single, 7 Things
is so catchy that if you hear one verse or, God help you, the refrain, you will inadvertently hum it all day. Strangely, Johnny Cash's I've Been Everywhere comes to mind. But Cyrus substitutes for the soul and emotion by whispering sha every minute or so.
The lifeline of this album lies in Cyrus' lyrical commentaries on her life so far. Many will provoke fierce tween debates about what life lessons she is alluding to and, most importantly, which song is about maybe-possibly-could-be-ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas.
The Driveway Cyrus' attempt at brooding, is the song of the album. She is possibly tired of rumormongers, possibly foreseeing the end of her 15 minutes: Nothing hurts like losing when you know I'm already gone. Whatever the inspiration, there is real emotion behind this song. Because of that she doesn't have to try too hard, which is a welcome change.
During a few songs, Cyrus is clearly testing the boundaries of the sexuality her contract controls. Don't worry, Disney, Fly on the Wall is too awful to listen to more than once. The Big Brother voice ' sorry, before your time Miley ' in the refrain might give little children and music critics nightmares. She tries out some Mariah Carey-esque beats and lyrics on Bottom of the Ocean
but her voice is still too young.
Once again, the dead horse is beaten. Cyrus' version of the infinitely annoying Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is a nasally, frenetic jumble of randomness. The odd backup vocals imitate the forgettable girls in Grease'none of the song parts mesh.
The focus of teen life is still clear on Breakout: how to get noticed by a boy. There are signs of growing maturity, but she's still a long way from being an unforgettable diva. Breakout has songs for the (mental and/or physical) 13-year-old, but just a few might stay (hidden) in your collection so you can reminisce about being a teen again.
17
Archives
Susan Tebben
200807248444midsize.jpeg
