Still true to the pop genre, “Mandy Moore” offers a more mature sound than the previous two albums. The fifty minutes that make up the album are broken down into thirteen songs that range anywhere from ballads to light rock to somewhat danceable tunes.

“In My Pocket,” for example, features a Middle Eastern beat mixed in with the right amount of bass, and laced with electric guitar. Also, “Turn the Clock Around,” which was intended to be “a real feel-good song,” definitely fulfills its duty as being upbeat and overall uplifting.

On the other hand, “From Loving You,” written by Diane Warren, and “When I Talk To You,” co-written by Mandy Moore, are both slower-paced love songs. Still, younger fans who enjoyed listening to Moore’s previous singles like “Candy” might like the teen life-inspired lyrics of “Crush” and “Yo Yo.”

Personally, my favorites include “Cry,” written by James Renald, and “17.” With melodic tunes and a touch of violins and acoustic guitars, the end product of both songs are neither too slow and sappy, nor too fast and dizzy.

Overall, Mandy’s songs are not as catchy as Britney’s, but they do offer a better vocal quality and less of the cheesy lyrics. Mandy is not overpowering like Christina, nor does she wail - as Jessica Simpson sometimes does. The only sound that I found hers similar to is that of former “Miss Saigon” star Lea Salonga, as can be heard in songs from a 1993 self-titled release. However, I doubt that a lot of people have heard “Lea Salonga,” so I’d say Mandy Moore’s style is nearly one of a kind.

Her songs found a way to get stuck in my head, so the album deserves four stars.