Disney stars are faced with a stigma. Most have a hard time finding a sound that will appeal to their tween/teen audience while grabbing some adult fans at the same time. They’re forced to be the cutesy Radio Disney friendly starlet. To make it in this industry, finding that sound is crucial to career survival.
Clearly trying to break free from her days of being known as Baby V, Vanessa Hudgens delivers her sophomore set, “Identified.” Laced with hard hitting, dance friendly beats; it is a huge departure from her debut album.
The set opens strongly with first track, “Last Night,” easily being one of the strongest songs on the album. Think Bluegrass, mixed with Jazz with a hint of Pop. Vanessa’s vocals are pure genius. Although not as alluring as “Last Night,” the next two tracks do a good job in separating Vanessa from the crowd.
With so much progress made, the album does a U-turn with “Hook It Up.” With the chorus yelling “You got the money, money/She’s got the hottie body/We wanna party, party/Hook it on up,” you’re left thinking someone has set this girl up to fail. It comes off as a desperate attempt to be different. And it delivers. Just not in the way she intended it to. It’s embarrassingly bad. Vomit inducing even.
For those brave enough to continue listening, you’re treated to what Vanessa says she does best: ballads. This is truly where she shines. “Don’t Ask Why,” “Paper Cut” and “Don’t Leave” showcases Vanessa’s vocal abilities without her having to over-sing, hoot or holler. She keeps it nice and clean.
Standing alone, it’s hard to see where Vanessa was going with first single “Sneakernight,” but it fits perfectly with the rest of the set. If you didn’t dig it before, you will soon. The genius placement on the “So You Think You Can Dance” commercials doesn’t hurt either!
Album closer “Gone With the Wind” sums up what Hudgens hopes to prove with this album; that the little girl you knew is gone.
“Identified” is a solid effort. Will this album successfully shed the Disney stigma? I don’t think so. Although Vanessa made a bold move in terms of her overall sound, the lyrics on most of the tracks lack the maturity to become truly relatable to a more mature audience. But we can hold off on calling her Baby V. Will “Young Adult V” do?
June 30, 2008
I will still buy this even if she was still a Disney girl! I love her! Thank you for the wonderful review, Story!
June 30, 2008
it,s amazing and amazed is with lil mama
but her bonus track(japan) is great vularable is great and i am 28 and i buy the cd wow
June 30, 2008
I CAN’T WAIT TO BUY HER ALBUM
I LOVE ALL THE SONGS
AND I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU DON’T LIKE “HOOK IT UP” BECAUSE I THINK ITS AMAZING
VANESSA REALLY HAS AN INCREDIBLE VOICE AND IT REALLY SHOWED ON HER SECOND ALBUM
I CAN’T WAIT TO BUY IT
June 30, 2008
i love Vanessa so for sure im goin to buy this album=)it sounds hot
i love song vanessa
i love cd
July 1, 2008
I don`t really like ‘Hook It Up’ But the rest of the album is amazing. I will so be buying it tomorrow =)
July 1, 2008
will definitely be buying this album
July 1, 2008
I’ve heard the album a lot of times since I bougt it and I think that it is just… nice! It is not really mature, but not even Britney Spears’ lyics are, o Beyonce’s! And they are real stars… I mean, V is 19! She will learn a lot and she will improve, I’m sure of that.. BUt this lbum is reaaaaaaaaally cool!
what do you mean its not muture obiviously you an old hag. think about it. the album tells a story in order perfectly. She is A great Girl And I’m Sure she Will A success love the album
[…] city promoting her new album, “Indentified,” that came out on Tuesday. Make sure you check out our review of the […]
July 5, 2008
I am Vanessa’s BIGGEST FAN EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How dare they review her AWESOME album like this!!!!! They don’t know how talented Vanessa is; they just want to base their review on if Vanessa is as good or mature as Beyonce or Britney Spears or Gwen Steffani!!!!! Their review doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t listen to the album yourself, because everybody has different opinions!!!! “Identified” is the BEST album ever, and you have to buy it right now!!!!!!!
July 5, 2008
BTW: Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, and Beyonce aren’t even mature!!!! They just sing watever the record label wants them to sing!!!! Vanessa Hudgens writes about what is important to her and what and how she feels in her music!!!!! Vanessa is the BEST role model for young adults and teens. SHe knows what its like because she is a young adult and teen!!!!! Listen to music by Vanessa, because she tells it how it is and she is the most INSPIRATIONAL celebrity that i know!!!!!!!!!!!! Take my word for it!!!!!!!
Vanessa, I know what u did was really really wrong but I still like u in a way because your a real good actriss and a real good singer and prove to everyone thant your really sorry……..I hope r! And make sure Zac is by your side!
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