After taking a break from the spotlight due to emotional issues; Lovato turned her feelings into it songs and released a record that includes fourteen tracks that shows she is unbroken. Her first single off the album was “Skyscraper” a powerful ballad that is about being stronger than people think you are, and if someone tries to knock you down you will still be standing tall. I think that a lot of people can relate to this song and it is one those tune that you’ll play when you have a bad day and you want to shut the world out. Her second single is “Give Your Heart a Break” this is an upbeat fast pace dance tune. Also the album includes many duets “All Night Long” features Missy Elliott & Timbaland, “Who’s That Boy” features Dev, “You’re My Only Shorty” has Iyaz, and we can’t forget “Together” in which Lovato performs with Jason Derulo.

Other songs on the record include “Hold Up”, “Mistake”, “In Real Life”, “My Love Is Like a Star”, and “Lightweight”. The album’s title song “Unbroken” is all about letting go of the pain and all the times you been hurt. But the most emotional songs on the record have to be “For the Love of a Daughter” in which Lovato sends a message to her father saying “Don’t you remember I’m your baby girl? How could you push me out of your world? Lie to your flesh and your blood; put your hands on the ones that you swore you loved.” And she pleads for him to stop the intoxication “Oh father, please father put the bottle down for the love of a daughter.”

Throughout each songs you get an inside look into Lovato’s world and the tunes are very relatable. Overall it is a great comeback album, and I can’t wait to her more music from this talent and strong artist.

*Disclaimer: The credit for the avatar and drawing goes to DeviantArt Artists Aelynn and credit for the drawing used in the article goes to DeviantArt Artists Ctoywolf1008.*

The Canadian punk pop band Simple Plan is back with there new album “Get Your Heat On!”It’s been 2 and a half years since the last time we heard new music from them, but they have been working hard to bring all of their fans some brand spanking new music with an awesome new sound. The songs on the album have a good beat to them and you’ll have fun rocking out to them. This record includes tons of cool duets like Rivers Cuomo; who sings “Can’t Keep My Hands Off You” with the band, Natasha Bedingfield can be heard on the track “Jet Leg”, and Alex Gaskarth lends his voice to the tune “Freaking Me Out.” Even rapper K’naan joins the boys on the track “Summer Paradise.” Simple Plan’s new sound is very different from their previous beat and you won’t find songs like this on their albums “No Pads, No Helmets …. Just Balls,” “Still Not Getting Any,” and their self title record “Simple Plan.”

You can tell that love was on their minds when making this “Get Ypur Heart On!” if the title doesn’t tip you off than the number of contains tons of love songs on the album will. “You Suck At Love,” “Can’t Keep My Hand Off You,” “Jet Lag,” “Loser Of The Year,” and “Summer Paradise” all have to do with love. Yet there are songs are tunes like “Anywhere Else But Here,” “Freaking Me Out” and “Like Last One Standing” that don’t have to do with romance, and have a cool beat and lyrics you can sing along too. The record does hold two slower touching songs “Astronaut” and “Gone Too Soon,” but I must say that the track with the most meaning is “This Song Saved My Life.” They dedicated the song to all of their listeners and even had some of their fans sing background on that track. With this new album and rocking new songs you know that Simple Plan will be here for a really log time, and I for one can’t wait to see what the bring out next. Also don’t miss them on tour; I know I won’t.

*Disclaimer: The credit for the avatar and drawing goes to DeviantArt Artists Aelynn and credit for the drawing used in the article goes to DeviantArt Artists razorwalk.*

Is it just me or do you too hate admitting that you listen to T-Swift? Find that every girl, guy, and pet in the world listen to her music which is a good thing for the artist but bad thing for someone like me who hates to follow the trend and do what every other person around the world is doing, yet just when I think I have finally broken very from the country pop artist she release a record like this and pulls me back in. Her new record “Speak Now” seems to be the diary of her past two years and of course it contains many songs about past flames which has is Swift trademark song style; yet what makes this album even better she has included hidden messages in each of the songs so that fans can figure out who they are about.

Her first single off the album “Mine” is a cute love song that has they safe country sound as songs from Taylor’s first record; by the way the hidden message in the song is “Toby.” Sparks Fly is another lovely song but this one has more of a pop sound instead of a country one, and the hidden message gives us the name of a city “Portland Oregon.” Her tune “Back to December” is surprise; surprise another love song, but this one is about heart break and regret, and I believe it is one of the most emotional songs on the album and really shows off Taylor’s vocals. The lyrics are simply beautiful and the soft melody fits the tone of the song; rumor has it the song is about Swift ex-boyfriend and Twilight star who shares her name, and it seems that the hidden message confirms the theory by spelling out “Tay.”

Speaking of emotional songs on the album the track “Dear John” is almost 7 minutes long and goes at a slow-pace, however that great thing is you can really feel the emotion Taylor put into the song and lyrics. The touching song about a young girl who felt used by a guy she thought cared for her is said to be about John Mayer, though the secret message isn’t much help it is only “Loved you from the very first day.” Another, track that could be inspired by Mayer is the fun and up beat “The Story of Us” which unites the pop and country sound we love about Taylor’s music. Oh, the hidden message in the lyrics is “2009 CMT Music Awards.” The title song “Speak Now” also has the pop and country sound but sadly isn’t as rememberable as the other songs on the record; furthermore the hidden message is “You always regret what you don’t say.”

What I love about the song “Mean” is that it sounds like a classic country tune and has lyrics you can singing along too, and the secret note is “I thought you got me.” The track “Better Than Revenge” is sure to be stuck in listeners heads all day long, yet it has different sound we haven’t really heard from Swift; a rock melody. Nevertheless, the country artist pulls of the rock sound but adds some country flare to it making it one of the best tunes on the album; and the concealed memo is “You thought I would forget” and yes the tune is supposed to be amid at Joe Jonas and ex-girlfriend Camilla Belle. Joe Jonas seem to be on the singers mind quite a few times while writing the album because the songs “Last Kiss” and “Haunted” were inspired by him too. “Last Kiss” is a very soulful track, with the coded message “Forever and always” (which was a song on Swift last album about Jonas); as for “Haunted” starts off with a soft tune but speeds up and the song is sung fairly quick, and the secret note for this track “Still to this day.”

Everyone knows that the tune “Innocent” is about Kanye West and the concealed message “Life is full of little interruptions” proves it; still the track isn’t my favorite, I’ve heard with sound better it is a very draggy and regrettably boring. “Enchanted” has a cute fairytale like sound mixed with some country beats, but what could its secret message “Adam” mean? “Never Grow Up” is a soft track that is similar to Miley Cyrus’s “Butterfly Fly Away,” it hidden note “I moved out in July” lets us know Miss Swift truly is growing up. The last track on the album is called “Long Live” isn’t exactly a rock but not balled either, it has an upbeat sound that if the feel of a soft melody which is very unique, also we can’t forget the covert note in the lyrics “For you.”

Taylor has released another record that contains songs you can slow dance too, sing along with, and play when just want to cry. She really has come along way since her first record, yet one of the reasons we gave the record a B rating is that it includes the same type of songs we always get from the artist; it would be nice if she would breakout of her comfort zone and bring us a different kind of track ever now and again, but besides that fact the album is a must listen for all country and pop music fans.

Credit for all the wonderful pictures goes to Deviantart artist Ishthuyokkay and Loga90.

Selena Gomez might be beautiful and talent, but sadly I find that her music isn’t all that good. It might be the songs she chooses or the sound of her music; there is just something that doesn’t quit work in the tracks she puts out. Gomez’s newest album “A Year without Rain” contains 10 tracks, however the deluxe edition comes with 3 extra songs including a Spanish version of her single and album title “A Year without Rain.” Although, I’m not the biggest fan of the Disney starlets music there are a few songs of the record that are worth listening to; like the track “Live Like There’s No Tomorrow” which is a soft tracked that really shows off the singers musical ability, also the song featured in the block buster movie, starring Gomez, Romona and Beezus.

Other great tunes are the artist two singles “Round & Round” and “A Year without Rain;” both the tracks seem to be very popular and big sellers on iTunes, and seem to have a pop techno sound to them. As for the rest of the songs on the album they don’t do much to help the album become a hit record. The song “Rock God” just doesn’t seem to be Selena’s style of music,bearing in mind she considered a pop artist; artist Katie Perry did a version of this song as well and I would recommend you listen to that adaptation since the tune seems to fit Perry’s voice. The tune “Summer’s Not Hot” sounds like a Hannah Montana track that Selena put on the album to add a fun and teenybopper element to the album.

The track “Spotlight” was a big surprise and left me asking “what was sing thinking?” It was sort of R&B and a bit Kesha sounding and that techno add to her voice was just weird. The last three songs have to mention are “Sick of You,” “Of the Chain,” and “Intuition;” for me these tunes are lest rememberable and have a similar pop/rock sound to them.

With all these negative thoughts I have on the album you might be wondering why the rating is a C+ and not a D or F, although it is true that the album isn’t the artist best work one thing never fails if you listen to the songs over and over again they will being grow on you, happened with her first album “Kiss and Tell” and I’m sure these songs will someday become some of my favorite but as of right now I would love to see Selena Gomez and the Scene’s next album be a hit right off the bat.

Country music trio Lady Antebellum released their first Christmas album on Oct. 12, 2010. The album is only being released at Target stores, and includes five classic holiday songs and one new song. Their version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has a soft and country sound to it that will put anyone in a Christmas mood. “All I Want for Christmas Its You” is my favorite song off the album, however I’m personal not a big fan of the song its self. I would have instead liked to hear a more upbeat adaptation or the song, or another fast paced song which the album is lacking.

The trio adds a country rock sound to “Blue Christmas” that didn’t really work for me. It just doesn’t have that seasons greetings feel that the other tunes have. Lady Antebellum new track “On This Winter’s Night” is a slow song that is great to listen to on those cold winter nights with the light turned off and candles burning.

One of my favorite tracks is “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” they do a grand job on the song. It is a happy tune that makes you feel as if you’re walking in a winter wonderland. Lastly, “Silver Bells” is the finale song on the CD. I was happy with the speed and vocals, but the music didn’t fit with the song which made it hard to listen too.

Over the entire album is a pretty good for the trio’s first Christmas album, though if you choose to skip on buying the CD you won’t be missing out on much. Also, I recommend getting off iTunes Lady Antebellum’s rendition of “Baby, its Cold Outside” which they put out a few years ago.

Emily Osment decided to take her music career in a whole different direction from her acting one from the start. Her “All the Right Wrongs” EP sold fairly well and put Emily’s rock style of music on the map and iPods of Hannah Montana fans everywhere. Now, she has released her debut album “Fight or Flight” that proves once more that this Disney starlet isn’t a little girl anymore but has grown up, and taking her music to a more young adult audience.

The CD isn’t targeted toward her tween fanbased, which you can tell from her first single “Let’s Be Friends.” From the chorus, “Let’s be friends so we can make out.” You can tell that the song is very mature but if you are fans of Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera you will be rocking out to the tune.

The track “Lovesick” has a great dance beat to it that will get you off your feet and moving, as well as the songs “Get Yer Yah-Yah’s Out”and “The Cycle.” You Get Me Through and Marisol are the two softer tunes on the album, however I found “You Get Me Through” to be a bit to slow. Marisol on the other hand is an amazing song and Emily’s voice sounded beautiful.

The songs “Double Talk” and “Truth or Dare” had the same beat to me but they work well with the over all sound of the album; and they are the typical club songs that party goes will jam too.
The two tracks I believe has the catchiest beats and lyrics are “All the Boys Want” and “Gotta Believe in Something;” they are must listens.

But the outcast song is “1-800 Clap Your Hands (The Water is Rising),” I don’t really get the sound of the tune although it might fit with the album something is off with it and I would have preferred them to add another softer track instead.

Overall if you’re looking for good album to play at your next house party check this one. Emily does take a risk by going into a new path with her music early on but it seem like she knows what style she wants to take on; and after all this is only the first of many records to come I’m sure of it.

Miley Cyrus proves she isn’t Hannah Montana anymore with her newest album released on June 22, 2010. Her first single “Can’t Be Tamed” is very grown up with lyrics like “For those who don’t know me, I can get a bit crazy have to get my way, 24 hours a day ‘cause I’m hot like that. Every guy everywhere just gives me mad attention like I’m under inspection; I always get the 10s ’cause I’m built like that.”

Her song “Liberty Walk,” which is probably one of the most popular off the album has a very techno sound too it, as well as the track “Who Owns My heart.” It seems as if she couldn’t make up her mind on what sound she wanted the tune “Every Rose Has Thorn” to have it goes from soft to classic rock and back to soft again. Another song that doesn’t if in with the record is “Forgiveness and Love” which sounds more like a soft old country tune unlike the rest of the songs.

Permanent December was an interesting track, it sounded like something the artist Kesha’ would sing however it was so computerized it was hard to listen to let alone hear Miley’s natural voice. The song “Robot” was another techno song, and “My Heart Beats for Love” reminds me of an oldies tune, like something from the Cyndi Lauper.

Now, the tracks “Two More Lonely People” and “Scars” are typical Miley songs, rock songs with a soft sound to them. Also, if you liked her tune “When I Look At You” she recorded for the feature film The Last Song, then you will love the songs “Stay” and “Take Me Along;” both have a nice soothing piano sound.

Disney Stars aren’t the only ones hitting the music scene Miranda Cosgrove star of Nickelodeon’s iCarly recently released her first album title “Sparks Fly” on May 4, 2010. The iCarly star’s first single “Kissin’ U” is an upbeat love song with a very slow verse her and there. The album is very much pop teen music which isn’t a, suspire since; Cosgrove is a 16 year old girl. She has a variety of upbeat dance songs including; “BAM,” “Disgusting,” “Daydream,” and “Oh Oh” and some slower song that still have that pop sound to them like; “Shakespeare,” “Hey You,” and “There Will Be Tears.”

Sparks Fly has that classic pop album sound and songs, if you are a fan of Miley Cyrus and Brittney Spears you will be fan of Miranda, one thing I must say is that her voice sounds great through out the entire CD, and she took it to find songs that fit her voice.

I belive every teenager will enjoy this album and should think about getting the five bonus tracks “Adored,” “Charlie,” “What Are You Waiting For,” “Brand New You,” and my personal favorite “Beautiful Mess;” these tracks are only available to buy off Amazon and iTunes.

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Disney’s new music collection of 2010 sets the new standard for teen music in Disney Mania 7 as it is released on March 9th, 2010. Featuring Disney stars such as Demi Lavato, Selena Gomez, Mitchel Musso, and Drew Seeley putting a new tune to old songs that many people consider classics. Though there are many opinions of the new album, Sparkling Stars decided to tell you what we thought about Disney Mania 7.

Disney Mania 7 featured many known Disney stars singing re-makes of original Disney songs. Though some versions are not as good as the original, many stars on the album were able to pull-off a new and improved way to rock out the songs we all know and love. Some songs, like Hakuna Matata performed by Debby Ryan, created a different side of the song because they took an up-beat song and created a slower, down to earth feel; she pulled it off amazingly.

Other songs, such as Under the Sea re-done by BooBoo Stewart, were a disappointment due to the fact that this song had been previously re-made by another Disney Channel singer, Raven Simone. Raven gave the song a Jamaican-like sound, closer to the original version sung in ‘The Little Mermaid’ where as BooBoo gave the song a rock-like feel which regrettably did not sound as good.

All in all, the album is a success in the eyes of Sparkling Stars. It wasn’t their best album ever but it is still in the top three. If you would like to preview the album, you can listen to samples of the song on Amazon.com, search Disney Mania 7. Thanks for reading Sparkling stars album review on Disney Mania 7!

In the extremely popular High School Musical, Ashley Tisdale played the mischevious, lively and funny Sharpay Evans. She was amazing at her role, maybe because she was a little older than the others, and was much more self aware. With the release of her second album, Guilty Pleasure, the 23-year-old Ashley is attempting to sell the teen crowd the proposition that she’s ‘grown up’.

Disney’s tendency for producing tons of ‘talent’ for the teens has become legendary, with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers being plastered basically everywhere in the world! And every so often some talent breaks through and something amazing and unique is created. But, no matter how charming and mischievous Tisdale was as Sharpay, none of that transfers to Guilty Pleasure. Instead she has sung maladroit songs rubbish attempts at sexuality and very little imagination!

It’s intriging to see that Ashley’s attempts to be grown up is less like a young women growing into her own skin and more like a teenager trying to impress people. It is very disappointing. Guilty Pleasure was written by professionals with no input from Tisdale. Ashley’s band comes out with a lame power pop, complete with wilted guitar progression and sweeping strings for her more emotional numbers. It completely lacks creativeness and is actually rather boring!

The lyrical contents are pretty bleak and the tunes cover the routine breakups-to-makeups area of modern pop music. Tisdale should make up her mind as in ‘Masquerade’ she says “I can be anything you want me to” but insists that she “has to be what she is underneath” in ‘Overrated’. Her everyday, bland vocals do little to communicate any actual importance!

So overall, although some of her songs are okay, Ashley Tisdale’s new album is rubbish and uninspired! This reviewer gives the album a C-!