Talk 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 schooler not only has the kind of looks that could land her a modelling contract. She's Christian, too. Good.
That may be more than can be said for much of the American Idol Junior finalist's debut. A bevy of writers, including Christian market adult pop staple Scott Krippayne's titular tune, don't drum up much in terms of memorability (Krippayne's contribution has more of a hook than most cuts here). Production values neither punch with a zip-bang-pow (the usual 'tweener prerogative) nor proffer a conscientious subtlety in touch with Tarver's natural breathiness; they're just "there."
And some of the songs she was given! The chorus of "Life Was" gives us the existential conundrum "There is no love without love." Oh, dear. In "Keep Your Eyes On The Prize," our heroine offers her romantic faithfulness under conditions that he's already hers. Huh?
Happily for all concerned, Tarver saves her best for last. And would you believe her best is a reggae song? "Everything" makes the Spice Girls or Backstreet Boys sound astute by comparison, but Tarver sounds committed to the tune's quixotic couplets over a poppily bubbling lover's rock reggae lilt.
Unless she and her handlers can summon more similar surprises, here's looking for her in Vogue soon.
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Other coverage for this album
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…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Brian A. SmithIt 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…
