Miranda Cosgrove-"Sparks Fly" Review

In more ways than one, “Sparks Fly” is not an album. Ignoring the fact that it is only eight tracks long, the word ‘album’ would suggest cohesion, none of which can be found on “Sparks Fly”. Overproduced in every way, Miranda Cosgrove cannot decide on one style. She throws in a stellar, but childlike rock number, “Bam”, and puts it beside the album’s nadir “Disgusting”. The latter song may be bedecked in twinkling synths and breathy vocals, but the steely production sheen flies in the face of Miranda’s soft persona. She gets lost in translation here, only adding to the fact that while she can pull off simple pop like “Kissin U” and the iCarly theme song, anything more does not suit her. She does not have the range to belt out the glory notes present in the Avril-penned “Daydream”, and “There Will Be Tears” has strong lyrical content, but not a strong singer to bring the words off the page in full power. Miranda is at her best when the drums are low, the guitars mellowed, and the melodies aren’t labored and forced. “Hey You” is the strongest track due to the understated production that lets Miranda’s girlish appeal take the forefront, which is what iCarly fans fell in love with anyway.

Still, even with the album’s high point, “Sparks Fly” seems calculated instead of genuine. Cosgrove sings the notes and walks through the tracks like she’s expected to do so. After all, every 17-year old tween starlet must go through the right of passage of a debut album. Although this wasn’t her intention, “Sparks Fly” still doesn’t give her credibility as a singer. She wanted this album to be a true artistic statement, one that proves she’s more than just another teen-tart. Her efforts are heard only through the album’s best tracks; its lowest points leave the listener with no more than another actress trying to do it all. Perhaps Miranda’s bitten off more than she can chew, and she might have a more focused set the next time around. As of now, “Sparks Fly” is better for what it is made out to be, rather than what it ends up being.

Recommended Tracks in Bold:

1. Kissin U                  2. Bam                        3. Disgusting

4. Shakespeare             5. Hey You                 6. There Will Be Tears

7. Oh Oh                      8. Daydream