AllPop.com - Bitter Candy

December 3, 1999

Someone out there wants Mandy Moore to succeed.

She's opened for pop princes, The Backstreet Boys and her first single "Candy" has been promoted for all it's worth.

Mandy's debut album is full of mediocre pop. Her songs are a blander version of Britney Spears' and her voice is thinner and weaker than fellow pop diva, Jessica Simpson. Her weak voice can be blamed on the fact that this songstress is only fifteen.

At least on "Not Too Young," Mandy sends out a half-decent message with the lines "I'm not too young to know the right thing to do and one of those things is not to fall for you."

Aside from the semi-postive message, "Not Too Young," is musically scary with Mandy trying to reach notes she has no hope of ever hitting.

The album suits Mandy better when it doesn't pretend to be anything more than a collection of sugary, fun pop songs like the first single "Candy" which claims an unnamed boy is "Like sugar to my heart" the song is cute, peppy and catchy.

"So Real" is the worst track on the album with Mandy's voice sounding strained and uncomfortable. This pop-star-to-be sounds best on more age and range appropriate tracks such as "Love You for Always" and "Walk Me Home".

Overall, "So Real" is a mediocre album that could fade quickly unless "Candy" continues to catch on and the stronger tracks, "Quit Breaking My Heart" and "Love You for Always" get recognised over musically painful songs like "So Real" and "Not Too Young".

When compared to her female pop counterparts, Mandy just doesn't seem to have what it takes. If you're trying to choose between Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears or Mandy Moore - go for Jessica or Britney.

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