Download of the Day 6/15: "7 Things" by Miley Cyrus

I'm going to a special kind of hell.

I'm going to music hell, because I broke a cardinal role for any serious lover of music.

I don't hate "7 Things" by Miley Cyrus.

In fact, its the best song she has put out (not that its saying much).

After the inescapable "See You Again", Miley decided to switch things up just a bit for the release of her second solo album, Breakout. She continues with her attempt to break from the typical sound of cheesy, teenybopper pop. Instead, she tries her hand at a more complex musical composition.

Miley does something surprising with this song. During the verses, the music is guitar-driven, mellow, softer, reminiscent of Natalie Umbruglia's amazing "Torn". It even has a touch of country, an obvious influence being her father Billy Ray. Its this part of the song I enjoy the most. It suits her voice better and is much less annoying than anything she's put out in the past. If the entire song was based off of this sound, it would've been so much better.

However, that's not the case. Instead, she jumps into the chorus with that annoying-as-hell tween rock thing she's been cultivating with her TV role. It's very frantic, both vocally and musically, as Miley rushes through why she hates her ex. By the end of the chorus, though, she returns to the mellower part as she sings "You make me love you".

Lyrically, its a clever song, maybe even touching in a weird way. Unlike many Disney songs, it is sincere without being corny. The lyrics are also not ridiculous and childish, like "See You Again" and Vanessa Hudgens' deadful "Sneakernight". When you listen to the words of the chorus, you may not want to admit it, but you will find yourself identifying with at 4 of the 7 "things", especially the last one.

Although Miley still isn't the greatest singer on the planet, her voice is definitely sounding more mature, while maintaining that confidence and charisma that helped put her on the map. Her delivery is far more sophisticated, changing from soft and sympathetic to hard and kick-ass when the song requires it.

So fine, I admit. "7 Things" isn't dreadful. In fact, its pretty damn good for the extremely annoying, tabloid-filling, racy picture-taking Disney cash cow. It is the best song she has ever released, hands down, and its one of the best songs coming from her generation (including the aformentioned Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, and Jonas Brothers). If Miley were to follow the path with this sound and type of music, she might actually outlast her expected 3-year expiration date.

Now if only the tween could keep her clothes on long enough.

Rating: 7/10