Miley Cyrus - The time of our lives

So she's almost 17 going on 21, but she knows what her tween fans want. "Party in the U.S.A." is a perfect description of your average drunken teen house party, pimping it out with Jay-Z and Britney references.

Besides being a savvy soul-stealer, her voice is far less annoying than other Disney exports like Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. She's held onto her country origins with a rich, accented alto voice. It's a lot sexier than a screeching soprano, and she knows it.

Only eight songs on this EP makes me feel shortchanged, especially since "Before The Storm" is ruined by the Jonas Brothers. Only seven songs left and the radio has already killed "Party in The U.S.A."  The best of the rest is "The Climb" which featured in "Hannah Montana: The Movie". The dreamy ballad does have some soppy motivational poster notes, but it's a great way to show off her voice and her sweeter, younger side.

"Time of Our Lives" is an almost perfect pop song with the right sounds and sentiments. Miley's all about celebrating the freedom of her youth. On "Talk Is Cheap", her hormones rage with lines like "So pissed off", "Don't make me beg for the things I need" and "Where there's a will there's a way". Nothing spells sex kitten like a little cowgirl belting out "And we sweat in the heat".  Is it really so bad that she's so honest about her, uh, feelings? Not even Walt Disney believes in good little girls.

Here's one fiery, feisty red head who's trying to prove she's a real, normal teenager with a music career ahead of her and a kiddies' TV show behind her. This album is so surprisingly entertaining that Miley just might be able to outlive her blonde alter ego.