This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
In the looks department, Mandy Moore comes off as yet another Britney or Christina wannabe: Same blond locks, same fresh-scrubbed complexion, same bee-stung lips.
But stop looking and listen and surprise, surprise — Mandy is much more than a pretty face. For a 17 year old, Moore has an impressive set of pipes (presumably honed during her days singing the U.S. national anthem at Florida sporting events). Vocally, she’s several steps above Spears, but restrains herself from Aguilera’s overblown vocalizing. Her style gets an extra boost from these 13 songs’ inventive arrangements, which avoid glam-slam hip-hop cliches in favour of Eastern and Indian-tinged grooves and melodies. Sure, she still has a lot to learn — the Diane Warren ballads have gotta go — but at least she leaves you wanting more.
