Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen Soundtrack

Parents who think that Britney Spears is just a little too wild as a role model for their little darlings will want to pick up a copy of Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen. The accompanying soundtrack to the Disney movie of the same name contains pop music suitable for preteens and teens. You won't find profanity, sexually explicit lyrics, or any grunting and moaning here. What you will find is a candy coated collection closer to Hillary Duff than the latest "bad girl" diva wannabe.

Lindsay Lohan, the star of the movie, contributes four tracks to the soundtrack including "Drama Queen (That Girl)," a modern blast of wah-wah guitars, altered vocals and garbage can beats. Lohan won't floor anybody with her vocal chops, but the model-turned-actor-turned-singer holds her own. "What Are You Waiting For" is an unhurried ballad that will have Lindsay's teen fans swaying in junior high gymnasiums at Friday night dances for years to come (okay, months). "A Day In The Life" finds Lohan singing a Joan Jett-like rock number, minus the rawness of Jett's best material, of course.

Atomic Kitten dig back (way back) for Kool & The Gang's "Ladies Night." The Kittens bring a cool '70s discotheque feel to the cut. Punk-popsters Simple Plan pull out the acoustic guitars for a stripped down version of their angst-riddled hit, "Perfect." Younger Green Day fans probably love these guys to death. Nicky Cleary struts down puppy love avenue for "1, 2, 3" delivering a stuttering cut with dewy-eyed lyrics. The lone hip-hop/rap track, "Boom," comes courtesy of fan_3. A female rapper rattling off lyrics that don't make reference to sex, drugs, guns or bling bling. . . hmm. . . what a pleasant surprise.

The female fronted Superchic(k) add a twist to the mostly male dominated emo genre, with "Na, Na." The song scores high marks simply because it's not a guy singing the pseudo-intellectual lyrics. Wakefield do their best impression of The Ataris, Dashboard Confessional and Sum 41, on "Un-Sweet Sixteen." Diffuser follows Wakefield with "Only In The Movies," another three-chord punk track. These last two songs parents will find interchangeable and somewhat irritating, but the kids will dig them.

Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen is light on substance and heavy on fun. Disney and Hollywood Records prove that you don't need vulgar material to produce an enjoyable pop album. The disc will appeal mostly to the 12-16 age group, but it's easy to imagine more than one mom quietly tapping along to the CD while driving a van load of teens to the mall.

By Todd Sterling