The power of the tween has been having an impact on commerce in the U.S. for many years. In the world of commercial music the demographic has redefined what was once called teenybopper music. It's younger than Bandstand but older than Captain Kangaroo. The Disney company, not surprisingly owns the lion's share of this market, largely because they're so expert at it. The Hannah Montana franchise is one of the best of its kind. It's not high art, but it's artistic. It's not mature, but it's pretty sophisticated. Old or young, you can check out what it's all about on Hannah Montana; Songs From And Inspired By The Hit TV Series. If you're a young fan it's great, and you're probably picking up the DVD set of the first season too. Even if you're just curious, there's lots here.

The package features a CD with music, as advertised, and a second disc with five representative music videos. "The Best Of Both Worlds" opens the disc, features the star, Miley Cyrus, and sums up the general premise. In a nutshell, Hannah Montana is a double life deal, wherein Miley Stewart is a "regular" kid and her alter-ego, Hannah Montana, is a country pop star. It's every tween's fantasy. In real life (where ever that is) Miley/Hannah is Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray's daughter. She didn't lick her musical talent up off the street. Disney has packaged her up like Cubby and Annette (the Mickey Mouse Club) and put her talent out in the world. Like everything the Disney machine does, it's very stylish, well produced and slick. They'll get plenty of gruff for the commercialization this all entails, but for what it is, it rocks.

The charisma and talent of young Miss Cyrus is undeniable, and hard to hide. Like it or not, you have to get a kick outta the kid. When Miley/Hannah addresses the double life paradox, she speaks to every kid's issue. The question of who she really is and who she appears to be is one asked by everybody coming of age in America. When the question is asked in a "Whoop's I did it again" groove, it speaks more directly to its intended audience. It's not really all that deep -- but the concept isn't without real merit. Put it into a slick pop package, and you have something a little more than just a pop-star vehicle. Give it to a real, bona fide talent, and you have the Hannah Montana thing summed up. Disney may be in it for a buck, but they deliver what they advertise pretty well.

While the bulk of the material on the CD is really a Hannah concert, some quest shots show up. Everlife says, "Don't' let anybody tell you who you are". Their cut, a few others, and a duet with Dad round out Hannah's debut CD. Is it a show? Is it an act? Were the Monkees a real band? Did Pinnochio ever get to be a "real" boy? It's not that existential. It's a set of good clean fun for the kids.

By Dave Morgan