Wonderful Crazy

Album Review

Tennessee-based teen pop singer Katelyn Tarver's debut album kicks off with a wonderfully frothy single, "Undeniable." Exactly the sort of song that gives Radio Disney programmers a reason to get up in the morning, "Undeniable" is a small wonder of hyperactive drum loops, burbling synths, and the kind of time-release hooks that the best bubblegum music needs to keep from sounding stale after a couple of spins. The other song on Wonderful Crazy that's helmed by writer/producer Mattias Gustafsson (a former Backstreet Boys associate), "Something in Me," is nearly as charming and provides just as appealing a setting for Tarver's pleasant but somewhat anonymous voice. However, as has been the bubblegum tradition since the days of the Archies, Wonderful Crazy consists of those two excellent potential hit singles, a couple of minor variations (most notably the title track, which vaguely resembles Fefe Dobson's Prozzäk-produced singles), and rather a lot of filler. Still, the best songs here are hugely enjoyable, and a great pop single counts for a lot.