"Cant Be Tamed" SoundSpeak.com Review

Album: Miley Cyrus, "Can't Be Tamed" (Hollywood)
Story by Tara Hall
SoundSpike Contributor
Published June 28, 2010 12:35 PM

The intention behind Miley Cyrus [ tickets ]' new release is hardly subtle, with the difference between the just dropped "Can't Be Tamed" and 2008's "Breakout" as obvious as a boy's vocal shift at puberty. The award-winning performer is attempting an image makeover from pre-teen sensation to sexy pop star, an entirely possible feat and something the music world has witnessed before with both Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.

Cyrus' metamorphosis slowly began last year, when she released the summertime hit "Party in the U.S.A.," which landed at No. 4 on Rolling Stone magazine's Best 25 Songs of 2009. The dance-pop single made it onto radio station and club playlists nationwide and gave adult audiences a little taste of what was to come with her third solo effort.

Now, with the new pop album finally on shelves and heating up the charts, Cyrus is really laying on thick her attempt at grown-up. The danceable title track, coupled with the provocative bird-leaving-the-nest analogy in the video, seems to be her personal anthem, a reminder that the pint-sized entertainer is going full throttle and has no plans of slowing down.

Cyrus has taken a page from Lady Gaga's ultra-successful book, adding vocal effects to a few tracks, including the opening song, "Liberty Walk," and "Permanent December," which sounds like a tune originally written for but turned down by Ke$ha. One charming touch: the worthwhile cover of Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," in which Cyrus' slight country twang feels just right.

Even with a couple of standout tracks, the album still contains moments of teenage idealism and simplicity that indicate Cyrus' transition to adulthood isn't yet complete. "Forgiveness and Love," a cheesy ballad, has the 17-year-old lecturing the listener on the importance of not holding a grudge, while the love-centric lyrics of "My Heart Beats For Love" are a little too sweet for this adult audience to swallow.

Cyrus has made some strides with "Can't Be Tamed," showing a more mature side of herself as compared to previous efforts. But there's still has some work ahead of her. Later this year, the actress/musician will begin the final season of her Disney Channel show and alter-ego "Hannah Montana," a character whose witty personality matches Cyrus, but whose bubble-gum image she will need to distance herself from if she wants to continue appealing to older audiences.