*** (out of 4 stars)
Label: Sony Music
Before this high-energy pop album came out, I hadn’t heard about Miranda Cosgrove. Of course, I’m not exactly the demographic that the star of iCarly appeals to. She’s yet another Nickelodeon starlet in the making. I should have remembered her as Summer Hathaway in the film School of Rock. But that was 7 years ago, and now she is all of 16 years old. After listening to her debut album, I promise to remember her. She is a fresh voice that stands out in an over-crowded field of pop princesses.
“Sparks Fly” is the name of Cosgrove’s eight-track album. It is brilliantly produced and won’t let you down if you are looking for some fun, new, uncomplicated music. This isn’t music for everyone. It’s bubblegum, cotton candy, pink popcorn and a few Twizzlers, all washed down by an Orange Julius. Some of you might like it once in awhile; you know who you are.
These are songs about boys and girls. They are sunny songs… bright and cheerful, with splashes of rock guitar to give just the right occasional attitude. The brilliant thing about this album is how it defies all logic. This should have been one of the more irritating pop albums to come out lately, but give it a listen and you’ll probably agree that it is just plain pretty good stuff. The near-perfect production values hold the album together. Cosgrove is either being given really good advice in the recording studio, or she has impeccable taste and instincts. She never fails to find an inspiring approach to each song. Whether these songs will hold up so well in a live concert remains to be seen. Some of what is the best of this album is only possible in a recording studio. When you are producing a strictly pop album, that is usually a good idea.
Miranda Cosgrove first showed she can carry a tune when she recorded the theme song to her series, iCarly. She discovered that she really enjoyed it and wanted to try recording more. That was also a good idea. I’m sure iPods all over the country will be happy to have iCarly in them.
Oh yeah, after discovering Miranda Cosgrove, I just have one question: Hannah Montana–who?
“Sparks Fly” comes in two formats: standard (8 tracks) and deluxe (5 additional tracks). But if you want to play it safe, download these:
“Kissin’ You” – This song, co-written by Cosgrove, was the first single released from the album (last March). It debuted at number 87 on the Billboard charts.
“Hey You” – This one is the musical equivalent of swinging on a playground swing as you lean back and see the trees and clouds upside down… and then right side up again… and so on. It’s a good feeling that comes from hearing a song that so bravely refuses to be anything but sincere, timid, and inviting in every way. It’s a soft song that doesn’t call attention to itself, but it feels great to listen to.
“Oh Oh” – The syncopated rhythmic shifts establish this song as one of the more accomplished tracks on the album. This one is screaming out to be made into a great music video.
“Adored” – It starts with a simple keyboard into that reels you in just in time for Cosgrove’s vocal to take over until the song finds the yearning soul at its center. This one was co-written by Miranda Cosgrove, so maybe she isn’t just another pretty voice.
