Album of the Week

 

There aren't too many post-Mickey Mouse Club Disney stars that excite me musically. I mean, I may have a favorite song here and there, but there has never been a full album that I love... well except for this gorgeous pop masterpiece put together by former Lizzie McGuire star, Hilary Duff.

You won't find many people that argue with this, either. Though critics gave mixed reviews of the album, the pop community sees it as an underrated gem. Sure, it wasn't an album made for mega radio success, but it really got down to the essence of pop music. It's an album that really took me back to the days when Britney, Jessica, Christina and Mandy Moore were all battling for the honorary pop princess title. This really shows that she didn't make this record to please anyone but herself, her fans and true pop music lovers. She was adorably down-to-earth and a bit bitchy. 

Yes, at this point in her career, she took the steps necessary to make sure "Lizzie McGuire star" wouldn't appear in front of her name for the rest of her career. She exploded into a mature and sexy recording artist. 

...but enough gushing about Hilary's growth. The album itself was written and produced flawlessly. I dare say anyone with decent vocal skills could have done this album, but something about Duff's squeeky-clean personality becoming transparent makes it a little more fun to listen to. It's hard to explain, really. If you're one of those people who says you appreciate real music, then this album needs to be the next on your "to download" list, and hopefully you'll even pick up a copy on iTunes or Amazon

1. Stranger
2. Dignity
3. With Love
4. Danger
5. Gypsy Woman
6. Never Stop
7. No Work, All Play
8. Between You And Me
9. Dreamer
10. Happy
11. Burned
12. Outside Of You
13. I Wish
14. Play With Fire

Amazing tracks in black...