Mandy Moore

The Best of

amazing

Review Score:

(10/10)
The Mandy Moore: The Best Of album/DVD, packaged beautifully, put together perfectly, is well worth the buy. There is nothing new on the CD, but it still comes across as a full, satisfying album. Here are my reviews on each song individually:

1. Candy - Still sticky and sweet as it was in the late 90's, it reminds you of the more cute, and less sexual, side of the teen pop genre at the time. The bridge, penned by Mandy, is almost a guilty pleasure. 5/5

2. Walk Me Home - A sweet, melodic, intrancing song. The sincerity in Mandy's voice captivates you and brings you back to the first time you heard this song. Though not as catchy as "Candy", "Walk Me Home" is still a good offering. 4/5

3. So Real - A single not released in America, "So Real" is well-produced, but not single worthy. Mandy sounds really young here, but her voice sounds beautiful, and very "commercial". The song is kind of synth-pop. 3/5

4. I Wanna Be With You - Probably one of the most beautiful, melodic songs Mandy has ever been a part of. Immediately after the song finishes, you want to take a second listen. Mandy's voice sounds very mature and miraculous on this song. The music is breath-taking and plays extremely well with her voice. One of my favorites. 6/5

5. In My Pocket - Critically acclaimed, "In My Pocket" deserves the hype it's received. It has a very middle-eastern feel to it and was like a blue bird in a flock of crows in 2001. The song has very inticing lyrics and grabs you in, refusing to let go. You'll be dancing in no time. 5/5

6. Crush - Probably a bigger hit than "In My Pocket", but only semi-rightfully so. The song is beautiful and melodic in it's own right, but seems ill-offered compared to the previous single. However, once you forget about the beauty of 'yester year', you'll love this second offering. 4/5

7. Cry - Probably the biggest hit off the "Mandy Moore" album, this song is beautiful and entrancing. The lyrics are beautiful and thoughtful, and you'll love Mandy immediately for just being involved with it. 5/5

8. Only Hope - Not really a single, but it deffinitely came to be known as the "A Walk To Remember" song. The song is entirely beautiful with sweet piano and violin, perfect against Mandy's sweet, and clearly matured, voice. Probably my favorite Mandy song. 6/5

9. Have A Little Faith In Me - Unfortunately, this never came to really be a hit. I can see why though, as it does take a while to grow on you. However, You can immediately hear how much Mandy Moore's voice has matured and become her own. The song is mid-tempo, and by all means, very beautiful. 5/5

10. Can We Still Be Friends - I am not sure if this and the following two songs were ever singles in other contries, but they were not released in America as singles. They are incredible all the same. This song is inticing and sweet, and has incredible voice layering at points, especially at the bridge. I would have liked to see "Moonshadow" here instead, as it was a single in the Philli's. Either way... 5/5

11. Senses Working Overtime - The opening track for the "Coverage" album, "Senses" is very enjoyable and fun. Deffinitely adds some light to the "Best Of" album. At first, though, it is almost annoying, but after a while, you will love it. 4/5

12. I Feel The Earth Move - Fun and catchy, I am glad this song was included here. While it is... interestingly produced at times, you will really be into it half-way in. Deffintely one of my favorites off the "Coverage" album. 5/5

13. On Top Of The World - This song was released on the Stuart Little 2 soundtrack, but is deffinitely not a children's song. Mandy really shows her vocals on this one and comes through amazingly. The lyrics are beautiful, and the simple drums and accustic guitars give a nice, breezy feel to it. 5/5

14. Secret Love - Well,... this song is interesting. It was released on the "Mona Lisa Smile" soundtrack. Mandy's voice sounds beautiful, but the music sounds almost trite. The chorus is an exception, as it sounds beautiful and romantic, but almost everything else is annoying. Perhaps I just need to give this song time to grow on me, but for now, it's a skipper. (2/5)

Overall, the Mandy Moore: The Best Of album is excellent. On top of that, the album art is absolutely gorgeous. All together, there are 5 pictures. All of them are pretty, but I especially like the ones inside the CD insert. She looks absolutely amazing in them. The only odd thing here is that there are no pictures on the back slip (outside or in). In any case, the album art is beautiful, and has delicate-looking design. On top of all this, you also get a DVD with her music videos and 4 AOL Sessions videos. To see my review of the DVD, please visit the "The Best Of Mandy Moore DVD" section. Thank you for reading, and I strongly encourage you to buy this collection.

P.S. To clear something up, Sony Recording Company (not Mandy) are the ones who released this CD/DVD. Because Mandy is no longer with Sony, she had nothing to do with the release of this collection, and is understood to of rather have not had it released, as she thinks it is "too early" in her career for a "Best Of". I am sure, though, like any other artist, that Mandy will be thankful for your support in any case.
- Kaleb (Kathleen's Son)

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