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| Breakout | 
 enlarge | Artist: Miley Cyrus
Label: Hollywood Records
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $9.50
You Save: $9.48 (50%)
New (50) Used (17) from $4.76
Avg. Customer Rating:  97 reviews
Sales Rank: 170
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 000212902
UPC: 050087123536
EAN: 0050087123536
ASIN: B001AGNRZS
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new, never opened, in stock in our warehouse, and ships right now. Case may have a crack or two - still a giftable item.
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| Tracks:
| • | Breakout | | • | 7 Things | | • | Driveway | | • | Girls Just Wanna Have Fun | | • | Full Circle | | • | Fly On The Wall | | • | Bottom Of The Ocean | | • | Wake Up America | | • | These Four Walls | | • | Simple Song | | • | Goodbye | | • | See You Again (Rock Mafia Remix) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
MILEY CYRUS INCLUDES THE HIT SINGLES 7 THINGS AND SEE YOU AGAIN PLUS approx. 5" X 7" PICTURE COLLAGE by MILEY.
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 92 more reviews...
 Got the Cyrus Virus? July 22, 2008
35 out of 58 found this review helpful
Teenage pop star Miley Cyrus attempts to "Breakout" on her so-named new album, her umpteenth in what feels such a preciously short span of time, with her principle goal being to prove herself a serious songwriter: "I just hope this record showcases that, more than anything, I'm a writer."
"Breakout," however, is standard teen pop in the vein of Cyrus' previous material. There are a few great, ultra-catchy singles that are understandably easy to play on repeat for her core kiddie fanbase, as well as the standard filler. Loads upon loads of boisterous electric guitars, screech-screaming in the middle of songs in a fit of feigned passion and collaborators with resumes that predate Cyrus' birth do not a singer/songwriter make.
There are great entertainers like Kylie Minogue or Paulina Rubio who, while limited in vocal range, overcome that by finding suitable material that they can turn into solid, hooky pop with their infectious energy and personas. Both women have dabbled in songwriting, but neither takes herself so seriously as to think herself a bona fide singer/songwriter. True singer/songwriters in contemporary pop/rock would include Jason Mraz, Jewel or John Mayer, just to name a few Js.
That Cyrus believes herself to be a talented songwriter is probably the product of many things, many of which can be speculated upon, the most obvious being youthful naivete. Checking the credits of the album makes the assertion that she is the core writer highly dubious.
Why is it that every rising performer these days has an urgent need to prove to the world he or she is a songwriter? Looking at the list of hitmakers alongside their names makes such assertions laughable, at least nine times out of ten. As for Cyrus, she is a decent but certainly not Earth-shattering talent as a singer or performer. She should not be pressing her luck.
As is standard these days for teen pop albums, in-your-face guitars cover each song like white on rice, and it becomes grating. Nevertheless, the meatier songs reveal themselves immediately. "Driveway," with its memorable, inventive chorus will probably find its way to the Top 20 as the follow-up to lead single "7 Things," and "Wake Up America" is commendable for its environmental consciousness. "It's easy to look away," Cyrus sings, "but it's getting harder every day."
Over the top production values drown many of the songs, however. "These Four Walls," for example, one of the two covers on the disc, sounds like a competition between screeching guitars and Cyrus' equally screeching voice. "Full Circle" is another instance of this, even though it has a solid chorus and above average lyrics. The other cover is a cute but instantly forgettable version of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," but that was predictable considering she is covering one of the most dynamic performers pop music has ever seen.
"Bottom of the Ocean" poises itself as the ballad of the disc with its mellow tempo and laid-back, nearly morose vibe. It's easy to picture many frustrated fathers falling asleep at the wheel as their daughters play this one in the car CD changer. It jerks and gurgles with bells and whistles even though it is relatively sparse. In fact, it is the only track on the disc that truly lets Cyrus' voice lead the way. Unfortunately, without a haphazard melody and noisy production the song underscores how terribly bland a singing voice she has.
The final two songs, "Simple Song" and "Goodbye," however, close the album on a high note. The former is the best track on the album with its simple but poignant message that speaks to the need to find something genuine and peaceful in a world that accommodates anything but, while the latter is an extremely emotional look back at a past love that is sure to make many teenage girls go ga-ga with its sappy pathos and sentiments of young love:
"Suddenly my cell phone's blowin' up with your ringtone/I hesitate but answer it anyway, you sound so alone/And I'm surprised to hear you say/'Remember when we kissed?/Used to feel it on your lips/That time that you danced with me with no music playin'."
The Rock Mafia Remix of "See You Again" that closes the album on an odd note as a bonus track gives the hit single a frothy, dance floor ready sheen while still retaining the essential structure and energy of the original.
There are a lot of things about Cyrus that endear her to young, impressionable listeners, and there is nothing wrong with that. If she continues to insist that she is a serious singer/songwriter, however, someone had better give her a John Lennon or Joni Mitchell record before she convolutes the meaning of the term.
 more of the same..... August 1, 2008
35 out of 68 found this review helpful
God aweful music, and a butchered version of "girls just wanna have fun" Here's the next britney....god have mercy on us all....
Over the hill (and far away) August 10, 2008
30 out of 37 found this review helpful
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
Embarrassed to like this CD? No way... July 22, 2008
22 out of 28 found this review helpful
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.
 A true step up July 23, 2008
22 out of 29 found this review helpful
The true test of a tween pop album is how much it grows on you. And while this album isn't exactly tween, it definitely passes that test with flying colors. In the first listen, I didn't quite catch its magic, but even by the second listen it had begun its move up to one of my favorite cds. It certainly does show that Miley is growing up, and it showcases her talent in a way the Hannah Montana albums could not. Typical tween is about catchy melodies and snazzy production, and Miley's done that well in the past, but in this album we find that hidden behind all of that is a voice that can carry the kind of depth and emotion that makes an artist. It also reveals a kind of maturity that didn't show up on Hilary Duff's albums until she was 20.
The first track, Breakout, is less than exceptional. It's basically in the same vein of "We've Got the Party" and could have come straight off of a Hannah Montana album. Which is good enough in itself, but it doesn't quite fit into this album that's strength is the way in which it moves beyond the typical tween.
7 Things is, of course, one of the most highly addictive songs out there, and Fly On The Wall is right up there with it. I really like the edge both of these have, and I would love to get more like these from Miley in the future.
As far as the cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun goes, Miley is of course no Cyndi Lauper. But Miley's version is sung with some kind of feel of pathos or desperation that was totally missing from the original, which may not be what she intended, but it makes for a very interesting track.
The cover of These Four Walls is definitely far better than the original. In comparing Miley's cut to Cheyenne Kimball's, the real depth and emotion that Miley's got becomes totally apparent. Despite the fact that Miley's is much younger, she sings with a great deal more maturity and artistry. And the country feel of this track really suits Miley.
Full Circle and Simple Song are two of the gems of this album. Simple Song in particular is very beautiful and a little heartbreaking. It both makes you admire Miley's talent and mourn a little for what she's lost because of it.
All in all, what Breakout shows is that Miley is not just another tween pop sensation, but a true artist with a real capacity for growth. I do wish we could give her the grace to grow a little more out of the spotlight. But this album does show that Miley's fame is not just the result of Disney marketing and a Wal-Mart product line. She's got real talent. And this is one adult fan who can't wait for more.
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