The concept behind this compilation is straightforward enough: songs from recently broadcast (as of this 2004 release) Disney Channel television shows, accompanied by a bonus DVD of videos to accompany five of the 15 tracks. It delivers about what you'd expect: an assortment of songs in the style of current (again, as of 2004) rock,
pop,
r&b, and
rap trends, not as superficial or pure kiddie in tone as some might anticipate from something bearing the Disney brand name, but certainly on the lightweight side as those styles go. The top name from the
pop world is
Hilary Duff, represented by "I Can't Wait" (from her Lizzie McGuire show) on both the CD and DVD;
Raven gets into teen
urban contemporary r&b;
Christy Carlson Romano mashes
techno-
pop and
r&b together on "Say the Word"; and
rap rears its head for Ron Stoppable & Rufus' "The Naked Mole Rap." Too, it's evident from the ringing guitar intro to "Lizzie McGuire Theme Song" that someone involved in the track might be a big
Byrds fan; that song is presented in an "Extended Supa Mix," whatever that means (and it certainly isn't that "extended," lasting about two and a half minutes). The CD itself isn't too long (33 minutes, even with the inclusion of previously unreleased songs from Even Stevens, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Phil of the Future, and Dave the Barbarian) and is heavy on theme songs, but then, this isn't meant for discerning adult customers. It's more for their kids, who might already be familiar with many of these tunes from watching the programs that originated them. The music videos on the bonus DVD mix three real-people clips with a couple of animations, of which "The Naked Mole Rap" is the highlight. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
