Album reviews

Miley Cyrus

`Can't Be Tamed'

(Universal Music Korea)

The 17-year-old Miley Cyrus has endeavored to mature into a sophisticated lady with her second album. Though the lyrics are often trite (``The only thing real, when push comes to shove/are the acts of forgiveness and love''), the dance-pop sound is catchy enough to get teens bopping along.

The No. 1 hit single ``Can't Be Tamed'' leaves far to be desired in terms of originality, but the more genuine ``Two More Lonely People'' carries a charming naivete. Cyrus' vocal talent lags far behind the likes of the then-Christina Aguilera or even Britney Spears, but she is also a girl coming into her own and, to concede, kids today could do worse for a pop idol.

_ Ines Min

Eminem

`Recovery'

Eminem returns from the depths of drug addiction with his seventh studio album, aptly titled ``Recovery.'' From the directness of ``Talkin' 2 Myself'' (``Encore I was on drugs, Relapse I was flushin' 'em out/I've come to make it up to you now'') to his dedication to late-friend and rapper Proof (``You're Never Over''), Eminem paints a new portrait of himself.

Featuring everyone from Rihanna to Lil Wayne, the album reads like a diary and bares its soul like one. That sense of self-awareness (``Thought I had it mapped out, but I guess I didn't, this [expletive] black cloud/still follows me around'') will call for fans to return, if not quite to the glory days of the past.

Nokyung Lee Trio

`Matchmaker'

Forget the typical jazz trio of a piano, base and drums. Instead, replace the modern percussion with a ``janggu'' or traditional Korean drum. Though it might sound strange, the soft twang of the janggu provides a complementary sound simultaneously harmonic and contrasting with dramatic beats.

Led by pianist Lee, who studied music abroad and was greatly influenced by the jazz of New Orleans, the talented musicians find a balance between the two cultures. Look for the more upbeat ``Naive'' and the janggu solo in ``AriAri Changes.'' Title-track ``Matchmaker'' also provides a solid introduction to this new brand of national music.