Album Stream: Mandy Moore's Wild Hope

June 19, 2007

Judging by the cover art for her new album, Wild Hope, you might surmise that Mandy Moore has transformed herself from teen pop-sensation into grown-up dream-folk girl — and you would be right. On the new album, which hits stores today and which you can now stream at AOL Music, Moore maintains the accessibility of her more bubbly hits while showing off heightened gravitas and a great voice.

Wild Hope uses elements of country rock and folksy ballads, complete with sparse piano, steel guitar, regal strings, and contributions from musicians like Rachael Yamagata. But the songwriting still fits snugly into the realm of pop, which I think is pretty cool. Maybe Moore can help expand the musical horizons of the fans who've been with her since the beginning. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.

18 Comments

Miss Tat 5 years 45 weeks

I loved this album. it's so much easier to identify with it in your 20's, rather than when you're a teenager like her old stuff...

crispet1 5 years 47 weeks

I like most of the songs. Her voice sounds great!

jdepp_84 5 years 48 weeks

I new she was going to come out with a great album, she always does, except the 1st one "So Real" eek. She's a true artist.

just_kelly 5 years 48 weeks

I really like it! It's so pretty and grown up. I don't feel guilty listening to it!

jaxy_west 5 years 48 weeks

This album resembles everything, started from her awful past, bad relationship, and love for better future, it sounds stunning, with its ethereal chorus, i rate this album big 5-star...

tati33 5 years 48 weeks

is anyone having problems with the stream? i can't hear it!!

thoroughlymodern 5 years 48 weeks

Thanks for posting this, Buzz. It's nice to see Mandy getting some, if you'll excuse the pun, Coverage. I'm really excited for this CD and I've been meaning to find somewhere to listen online. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working on my computer... but I'm still working on that. It's nice to see there are other Mandy fans out here! And mwmsjuly19, I realize that she's not everyone's cup of tea, but I have no problem having both Mandy and the Stones in my collection! ;)

Divajj 5 years 48 weeks

I'm so psyched to get this CD today... I love Mandy Moore. I think that unlike certain other bald-headed pop starlets, she refused to be a puppet and decided to make her own way. And that's something I can admire!

yiddidea 5 years 48 weeks

This cd reminds me of her Coverage album, which I really enjoyed. I LOATHED Mandy's pop stuff when she first started so I am glad she has grown up with her music. This style suits her voice much better and seems more honest. One criticism I have so far is there isn't a great difference between songs. They tend to blend together when you listen to them, but perhaps that is intentional.

swwonder 5 years 48 weeks

I can't watch or listen to anything on AOL (regional restrictions). But I've heard some on her Myspace and although it's not as obviously catchy as her older stuff, I actually quite like it.

mwmsjuly19 5 years 48 weeks

Her pose on the album cover is weird. Are her legs resting on anything? I can't make it out. Meanwhile, I'll never buy a Mandy Moore CD. She won't fit in next to my Rolling Stones collection.