Enter the teenage superstar

Sun, 09/14/2008 10:01 AM | Entertainment

Artist: Miley Cyrus
Album: Breakout
Label: Universal
Rating: *** out of *****
Standout Tracks: Breakout, The Driveway, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Many people reckon Miley Cyrus, a singer and TV star, to be the anti-thesis of Britney Spears because of her duly behavior and appearance.

The daughter of American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who popularized the song Achy Breaky Heart, has become a pop phenomenon whose feats include sold-out shows in the U.S.

Miley's success is premeditated. Her alter ego Hannah Montana (Miley in her blonde wig) is a Disney television series that has reaped success through a record-breaking basic cable audience of more than 10 million viewers.

All of her songs in this album hover around three minutes long, which are a comfort for her target audience of six to 14 years of age. The album itself, which consists of 12 songs, is less than 40 minutes long.

After watching her act as Hannah Montana on TV, I was convinced she had a knack as a entertainer. Her acting is natural and infectious, which explains why so many of her fans are begging parents for anything that has Miley's name on it.

The title song Breakout is (unfortunately) the best song and most essential track of the album. It's pop rockish in sound, which is laden with distorted guitar and thumpin rhythm. It's a fun song that defines her persona(s) as the All-American Teenager.

The Driveway continues her excursion into the power pop realm. This can be aired on the radio as it has instant appeal to many ears.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is a cover of Cindy Lauper's 80s tune. It's almost a tribute to the artist as the song showcases Miley's vocal capability.

Billy Ray Cyrus will be remembered more as a parent who has succeeded in turning his daughter into a cash-making sensation rather than a singer of Achy Breaky Heart (but I think his appearance on David Lynch's eerie film Mulholland Drive is amazing). Billy Ray says to Rolling Stones that there might not have been a Hannah Montana if it wasn't for David Lynch.

If you have a chance to see the Hannah Montana series on your tellie, please tune in. It will be a great time killer if you have some to kill.

-- Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo

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