Mandy Moore

These days there are more pop tarts on the charts than on the grocery shelves, and it's awfully hard to tell the kewpie pies apart. Granted Mandy Moore isn't exactly heading into Björk territory, but at least the 16-year-old is attempting to stake her own space. Jon Secada and Emilio Estefan Jr. supply Moore with percussive cuts like the single "In My Pocket" which is laced with a sinewy Middle Eastern sound. Moore also offers up jangly, breathy cuts like the heartfelt "17" which suit her cotton-candy vocals nicely. This isn't great art, but it is enjoyable, disposable pop, and that ain't shabby. --Amy Linden