Various Artists - Camp Rock
Saturday, June 28, 2008 5:51
“As the “High School Musical” troupe troops to the big screen, Disney brings forth its next potential franchise concept—”Camp Rock,” a summer sojourn to a place where “you can feel the beat running through your feet,” as the cast tells us in the opening number, “We Rock.” This is ostensibly a vehicle for the fast-rising Jonas Brothers, but 15-year-old Miley Cyrus-like newcomer Demi Lovato is in the breakout seat as the aspiring Mitchie Torres, daughter of the camp cook and looking for her break. Neither Joe Jonas nor Lovato dominate the soundtrack, however, though they each have solo showcases as well as a Big Moment duet (”This Is Me”). The Jonas Brothers get to rock out on “Play My Music,” while the rest of the album is a contemporary (if not cutting-edge) pop smorgasbord featuring techy dance tracks, Avril-style chick rock, a touch of hip-hop and “deep” self-affirmations.—Gary Graff”
