Somebody Tame That Cyrus!

Media Meditation #1
Miley Cyrus Can't Be Tamed Album Review

After the success of her debut album Breakout, a hit movie, a soldout concert tour it looked as if Miley Cyrus was invincible.
Imagine the shockwaves felt across the planet, and possibly the entire universe when Billboard released a new chart ranking the top 21 musicians under 21 and Miley didn't top the list. Gasp!

Topping the list was Taylor Swift whose popularity among insecure 14 year old girls is on the rise(marketers and music executives take note). Justin Bieber came in second and Selena Gomez, another up and coming Disney pop merchandising machine rounds out the top three. Where then is Miley? Believe it or not she was all the way at #10 on the list. And we call ourselves patriots...

Truth be told, the reason why Miley has slipped in popularity might have something to do with her recent behavior.Cyrus caused some controversy ealier this year by moving to a more risque wardrobe and rebellious nature. The young singer will point out that she is just growing up and becoming more mature- which of course equates to wearing shorter skirts and overtly sexual dancing. Not like any teenage girl has ever done that before.

She attempts to make a statement of artistic expression and adresses her critics with her third album Can't Be Tamed.


The first single off the record debuted on MTV with a live broadcast of the music video. The more "mature" side of Miley immediately drew backlash. She then went on a media blitz to promote the album appearing on Britians Got Talent, the Today show, and even David Letterman.


Here she is performing the title track of her new album on Dancing With The Stars




During an interview she talks about how inspired she was during the production of this album. If I were her I wouldn't say that publicly again.
It's not that she doesn't sing with heart, because you can see that she did at least try to make a good record. The intense imagery of her lyrics are on full display here, especially on such deeply resonating tracks as "Permament December":

Won't ever let you go, won't let you go
no won't let you go, go, go
won't let you go no, go, go, go, no, no, no
won't let you go, go, go, won't let you go
go, go, go, no, no, no
-actual lyrics. Kid you not.


On top of that it took not only Miley, but two other professional music producers to create that song. For the sake of public humilation and shame the names of the other writers are John Shanks and Claude Kelly.


The themes of the album are stunning and sweeping. In the second track "Who Owns My Heart" she asks the big questions, and sings about having to choose between romance and her art. She even does a cover of the Poison song "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", which I'm going to hold personally responsible for Brett Michaels recent brain hemmorage.

In her song "Robot" she proclaims, "I'm not a robot, I'm me". Absolutely marvelous. The heavy level of sophistication and insight that statement packs, coupled with some severe existential angst Miley Cyrus makes Albert Camus look like a real housewife from New Jersey.

In the liner notes of the album she says that " the thing I am most grateful for is the love I have been given by Almighty God." And we all know its because God loves his teenage girl pop music.

Track List:

1. Liberty Walk


2. Who Owns My Heart


3. Can't Be Tamed


4. Every Rose Has It's Thorn


5. Two More Lonely People


6. Forgiveness And Love


7. Permanent December


8. Stay


9. Scars


10. Take Me Along


11. Robot


12. My Heart Beats For Love

The deluxe edition of the CD comes with a concert DVD from one of her more recent performances in London at the famed O2 venue. The album is produced by Rock Mafia and Miley's mother Tish serves as an executive producer.