Miley Cyrus' Time of Our Lives EP spawned the carefree mega-hit “Party in the U.S.A.,” but on her second album, she does just about everything she can to distance herself from that look and sound to announce that she has grown up. On Can’t Be Tamed’s cover, she’s clad in black from her heavily lined eyes to the tips of her toes, sporting pale skin and chestnut hair several shades darker than
Hannah Montana blonde. The album’s sound is several shades darker too, but within reason; while none of these songs sounds like it belongs on one of her alter ego’s albums, Can’t Be Tamed was released by Hollywood Records, Disney's more mature imprint. So while “Liberty Walk”'s bold synths and beats and rapped verses sound edgier than any of
Cyrus' previous work, upbeat lyrics like “Don’t live a lie/This is your life” keep the song Radio Disney-friendly. She also tries this dancefloor-ready sound out for size on “Who Owns My Heart” and the stomping title track. Though pop was
Cyrus’ bread and butter during her
Hannah years, she sounds best on the songs that straddle rock and country, including the revved-up cover of
Poison's “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and the anthemic “Two More Lonely People,” which makes the most of her voice and appeal. Can’t Be Tamed shows
Cyrus is growing up without making her too mature for her still-young fan base. ~ Heather Phares