V

1. Come Back To Me
2. Let Go
3. Say OK
4. Never Underestimate A Girl
5. Let's Dance
6. Drive
7. Afraid
8. Promise
9. Whatvever Will Be
10. Rather Be With You
11. Psychic
12. Lose Your Love

"V" is for "vivacious": Vanessa Hudgens came to prominence after appearing in the movie High School Musical, as well as appearing in its sequel. Disney saw the response from that and then put her into the studio to create an entire album. But despite the usual bubblegummy-ness and lack of vocal ability from several artists that take that route (Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan), Vanessa's album V is actually quite good.

The album's opener and first single, "Come Back to Me", is easily the best song. But there are other good tracks as well, like the ballads "Afraid" and "Whatever Will Be". "Let Go" would also be a great song if you can overlook the fact that the music sounds exactly like the music from Michelle Branch's "Everywhere".

"Let's Dance" didn't do anything for me, and "Psychic" is a little too corny even for Disney standards. But V really has me thinking that Vanessa will actually be able to break out of the teenybopper genre and have a substantial music career, so it's worth picking up. -- Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI)

was reading the reviews and I saw that she swears. I like to buy "clean CDs" when possible. So, I researched the lyrics before I bought this for my 7-year old daughter. I was shocked that the bad word was "HELL". I am laughing that you are all so upset over the word "HELL". They hear worse on regular TV!! Or the school yard. Or from you! We should just be glad that is the worst word on her CD. I am now buying this and will be giving it to her for Christmas. Seriously people ... you almost deterred my purchase. Glad I looked up what this "profanity" was. -- V. Cunningham

Release Date: 09/26/2006

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Vanessa Hudgens: Breaking Free: An Unauthorized Biography

by Grace Norwich

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High School Musical 2 (Extended Edition)

I absolutely loved the first movie so naturally I was expecting to fall in love with this one as well. I didn't exactly love it, but I definitely liked it a lot. What I didn't really like was how much Troy/Gabriella (Troyella) scenes there were. We all know that the're a couple. That was made clear at the end of the first movie. I thought that Sharpay was over the top at times...I liked the way she was in the first one a bit more.

All right...now for what I liked about this movie. I loved the fact that Lucas Grabeel (Ryan) had a storyline in this one. He did not have enough screen time in the last one; he was basically just following Sharpay around the whole time so seeing him 'break free' (pardon the pun) from Sharpay was great. I really liked seeing Corbin Bleu (Chad) and Monique Coleman (Taylor) more in this movie. They actually had solos in this one! I also liked the fact that they both danced a lot more. The rest of the supporting cast had much bigger roles as well which I really enjoyed.

This movie was also more dramatic than the first. While some of it was definitely silly, it was also fun. The dance numbers were the best in my opinion...especially What Time Is It, I Don't Dance and All For One.

All in all, this is a good movie for kids, tweens, teens, or anyone that likes Disney...and HSM of course. :) I recommend it to anyone who saw the first one and loved it. Who cares how old you are...if you ask me, you're never too old for Disney. -- L. Verson (Dayton, OH)

Release Date: 12/11/2007

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