Breakout

Miley Cyrus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B001AGNRZS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,002 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Yep--the artist formerly known as Hannah Montana is going it alone. Having conquered the teen market under her Hannah Montana moniker, 15-year-old Cyrus is now aiming for the adult world; or at least a slightly older audience. Breakout follows her dual-marketed Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus album, and differs from it in that she sounds a little more grown up, a little rougher around the edges, and just a touch more self-expressive. Needless to say, Breakout is produced to within an inch of its life. Every aspect, from concept to mixdown, has been polished and buffed to achieve that perfect tween sheen. Despite this resulting in a somewhat sterile and claustrophobic aura, the album manages to achieve some infectious moments. To her credit, Cyrus has co-written most of the songs here (all but two), which largely eschew electronic dancefloor sounds for a guitar-heavy ethic. The punchy title track (co-produced by the Go-Go's Gina Schock), the thrashy, catchy "7 Things" and the boyfriend putdown "Fly On The Wall" are immediate highlights, but ballads such as "Bottom of the Ocean" and her sped up version of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" are much less convincing. Breakout reveals a genuine young talent, but one that's perhaps being rushed way too quickly towards her prime.--Danny McKenna

Product Description

The Platinum version of the best selling album "Breakout" features the smash hits "7 Things," "Breakout" and "Fly On The Wall" PLUS two brand new exclusive songs: "Someday" and "Hovering" featuring Trace Cyrus of Metro Station The Platinum DVD features over 35 minutes of live footage and interviews from the Capitol Records Recording Studio, and Disney Channel Games. Included are live performances of "Breakout," "Fly On The Wall," "Driveway," "Simple Song" and "See You Again." There's also an exclusive interview with Miley talking about the making of her album and her influences! 7 Things video and making of the video --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Embarrassed to like this CD? No way..., July 22, 2008

By 

afreric (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breakout (Audio CD)

Ok, so I'm 32 and have NO KIDS, yet I bought this album, much to the surprise of my husband. I admit I've watched my fair share of Hannah Montana episodes and I even have a Hannah Montana ringtone. Do I get flack about this from my oh-so-grown-up friends? You bet. Do I care? Not really. The truth is Miley Cyrus, dressed up as Hannah Montana or in her own persona, is adorable. She exudes a charm that has preteen girls and their moms alike captivated. She's somehow managed to suck me in, as well. I can't explain it, but I had to purchase this CD the day it was released.

Having already been hooked on 7 Things I was a little disappointed that none of the other tracks have quite the same infectiousness of her lead single. But that's not to say there isn't plenty worth listening to. The title track, Breakout, comes closest to 7 Things in energy and attitude and made me relive my high school days, longing for the freedom that only 3:30 knew. Miley is at her best here, embracing her youth and singing about what she should know well. Several of the other tracks, notably Full Circle and Bottom of the Ocean, showed an unexpected maturity - so much so that I was suprised to see her name amongst the writing credits. However, because of this maturity they felt a little disjointed. How could a 15 year old have anything worthwhile to say about heartbreak, after all? But you just have to remove yourself from the knowledge that this girl is so young and a product of Disney. Try telling yourself that this is a brand new artist and you know nothing about her. It's easy to believe that this singer, with her deep voice, heartfelt vocals and expereienced vocal interpretation, is appropriate for the adult contemporary audience. Sure, there is a notable lack of sexual undertones and profanity common in this genre, but I for one felt somewhat refreshed by that. I don't need to hear the F-word to know I'm a grown-up. Nor is my adult status challenged by the success of this teenage phenomenon.

I'm not sure why some haters out there feel the need to scrutinize everything this young lady does. The truth is she is far more talented musically than Britney, Hillary or many of the other teenbots that have graced us over the past decade. Give the girl a chance to learn and grow into the artist she has the potential to become. In the meantime, accept her music for what it is - fun, youthful but with enough substance to listen to without kids in the car.

35 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Over the hill (and far away), August 9, 2008

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breakout (Audio CD)

If you're over the hill (i.e. past your tween years) then this probably isn't your kind of music. Like the Jonas Brothers et al, this is bubblegum pop, targeted at a new generation of music fans - after all, each generation needs SOMETHING to raise the hackles of their parents.

Cyrus co-wrote eight of the twelve tracks on the album, and two of the remaining four are covers. Surprisingly, after a few dozen listening experiences from the confines of the car, there are a few tracks that have grown on me, or perhaps I've grown accustomed to her voice.

The safe tracks are "Breakout" (one of the tracks she didn't write); "7 Things"; "Full Circle"; "Simple Song" (another one she didn't write); "Goodbye" and "See You Again". (Actually, the ones I've picked are the ones where she sounds like Avril Lavigne). There's also "Fly on the Wall" which sounds like a G-rated Pussycat Dolls song.

Warning!! If you're a fan of `80s music it's advisable to skip track four, as you don't wanna listen to this version of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Trust me on this one)

Rated:
For tweens 4.5 stars
For old coots 3 stars

Recommended as a gift for that special tween on your list



Amanda Richards, August 9, 2008

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive for a 15 year old girl, July 30, 2008

By 

Gerald Rains - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breakout (Audio CD)

I'm almost totally oriented to classical music and pre-arthritis played classical (and other) guitar, clarinet, and piano (poorly - I took it up less than a year before the arthritis set in.)

If Miley Cyrus were to be trained in opera for a few years, I think that her range would expand to at least 3 1/2 octaves and the squeakiness in her voice would disappear. It's a shame that, after she had almost completely gotten rid of her Southern accent, Disney, Inc. insisted that "Hannah Montana" needed it and she now has more of a Southern twang than ever before. As well her time spent in Nashville is very bad for her.

Now the plusses. She has a terrific band and together they have a cohesive unit. Her songs are based on her ideas but the lyrics and music are written by her father. She has good ideas but is not a songwriter. She's certainly more professional than anybody her age has a right to be. She almost always hits her notes and her sense of rhythm is excellent. Of all of the CDs that my daughter is occasionally allowed to play on my big system, this is certainly the best. It's not totally my cup of tea - Mozart is. But all things being equal she is heading in the right direction and she's way ahead of schedule. She comes out a big winner when compared to most of her competitors. FOUR STARS!!