By Leigh May
Music Editor
Published Mar 10, 2008

For those of us who have heard Mandy Moore tracks from the late 90's
and early noughties, her new album, Wild Hope, is certainly a
surprise. Gone is the pop princess with tracks like I Wanna Be With
You, Crush and Candy, and here in her place is a more grown-up
contemporary artist, with even a slight tinge of country. However,
don't get me wrong with this. The new Mandy Moore is certainly a
change, but is a very welcome one. Her voice and style is more
mature, and therefore has more longevity in today's music scene.

In the early 00's, Mandy released her album, Coverage, which featured
covers of tracks by artists like Joan Armatrading, Todd Rundgren,
Joni Mitchell, and others. This, she says, was the beginning of the
real Mandy Moore being put into the public eye. These artists are
certainly an influence on Mandy's songwriting and singing, as she co-
wrote the album with artists such as Chantal Kreviazuk, James Renald,
and a slew of other artists, songwriters and producers.

Tracks such as Slummin' In Paradise, Looking Forward To Looking Back
and Extraordinary show a contemporary rock side of Mandy, while
Ladies Choice, Can't You Just Adore Her, and Gardenia show a more
mature side of Mandy's balladeer voice. Ladies Choice contains a
small string orchestra, and is a song that any listener will
certainly be tapping their feet to. Gardenia, however, is a stand-
alone track on this album, being the only track that features just
Mandy and a piano, no drums, no guitars, just pure beauty at it's
best, as the vocalist talks about discovering oneself while falling
in love with another.

Other tracks on the album include Most Of Me, which is about standing
your ground, while leaving yourself open to the idea of a new start,
the title track, Wild Hope, which features some beautiful guitar
work, and the new single, Extraordinary. After listening to this
album, it's hard to believe that Mandy is still only 23 years old!

Wild Hope is out now through EMI Music.

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