It is difficult not to dismiss Katelyn Tarver's debut album as prefab pop aimed at the teen set. Heavily promoted on Radio Disney, and a finalist on American Idol Juniors, Tarver has built up quite the impressive resume at the age of fifteen, as she also appears in commercials and has an upcoming movie.
Wonderful Crazy, however, is just that -- ten songs written by other people, slickly engineered and packaged by studio wizards, and marketed in such a way to attempt to combine cuteness with an assumed sophistication that tries to make her appear older. In short, Tarver is being pushed much in the same manner as Ashlee Simpson, although she definitely is more talented.
The title track, written by Scott Krippayne (!), will undoubtedly be the radio single. "I'll Make It Real" takes an R&B turn (not all that well), while "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" travels the same ground, but tries to infuse some street credibility. "Life Was" is the typical CCM "is this about God or my boyfriend?" type of song.
Tarver has some potential -- she can sing. Some guidance and an experienced guide in the studio would help -- better choices can be made that would be more suitable to her vocal style. Older listeners will unfortunately not see this disc as "Wonderful," but repeated airplay may drive them "Crazy."
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Jamie Lee RakeTalk to me enough about music, and you'll know that, among other things, I'm all about the 'tween pop. Give me something that's a must-add for Radio Disney's playlist by some aged-in-its-prime demographic, and so long as I'm not embarrassed (that, readers, takes a lot), I'm happy with my frothy, so-called guilty pleasure. That's why I was rooting for Katelyn Tarver. The perky, blonde high…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Joe MontagueKatelyn Tarver is a name that may be familiar to you if a few seasons ago you were watching American Juniors where she appeared as a finalist. If you haven't seen this talented young woman in action before now, get ready for the next teen sensation to hit the airwaves. Katelyn Tarver who turned sixteen on November 21st already is poised to become the next sweetheart of the American public. Her CD…
