MANILA, philippines--Miley Cyrus is growing up-fast! IN the seven-track EP, ?The Time of Our Lives,? the 16-year-old superstar shakes off some of her saccharine pop sensibility and sizzles as she amps up the rock sound for her growing adolescent concerns.
This time, the sound is richer, the voice fuller and more self-assured, and the themes are edgier than her usual teenage love-and-party musical confections. The album contains only seven cuts, but their diverse beats and sleek arrangements are guaranteed to attract pop-music enthusiasts.
Young love
The Jonas Brothers join Miley in a live version of ?Before the Storm.? If you were drawn to the dreamy sound and ethereal feel of ?Breakout?s? ?Bottom of the Ocean,? the soaring ?Obsessed,? which tackles the exhilaration and confusion of young love, will delight you.
Another ballad, ?When I Look at You,? is bound for radio-airplay glory not only because of its anthemic quality, but also because it?s one of the tunes pegged for Miley?s anticipated Nicholas Sparks-penned romantic drama, ?The Last Song,? which he wrote specifically for her.
But, the track that will keep listeners rocking is the rock-fueled and groove-heavy crowd-pleaser, ?Party in the USA,? Miley?s highest charting single to date, as well as the funky title track, ?Time of Our Lives,? and her kickass cover of Ashlee Simpson?s ?Kicking and Screaming.?
Tribute
On the local recording scene, Erik Santos also takes a musical detour via ?The Jim Brickman Songbook,? in which he pays tribute to the man behind the indelible pop-jazz favorites, ?Valentine,? ?Love of My Life,? ?Destiny,? ?By Heart,? etc. Most notable in the 10-song repertoire are ?If I Just Believed? and the heartwarming ?The Gift.?
In the liner notes, Brickman compliments Erik for the texture of his voice and his ?overflowing soul.? He likewise shares his respect and admiration for Pinoy performers: ?I?ve worked with so many artists all over the world, and the Filipino talent usually stands out. I?ve had remarkable collaborations with Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez and Lea Salonga?and those were some of the most unforgettable milestones of my career!?
