Raven-Symone
Raven-Symone (Hollywood)
ESSENTIAL "What Are You Gonna Do?"
If you are not an avid Disney Channel viewer you may be unaware that cutie pie Raven-Symone, Olivia from "The Cosby Show," has grown up to be the curvaceous and rambunctious star of two very popular Mouse House vehicles. The first is her eponymous sitcom "That's So Raven," the second the giggly "Cheetah Girls" musical movie franchise. Raven doesn't quite shed her spots for her so-so first solo album as an adult but it's mature enough that Cliff Huxtable would probably raise an eyebrow. Raven proves herself to be a competent-to-good singer depending on the setting. Vacuous dance pop numbers in the Britney-Fergie vein like "That Girl" don't do her any favors as her girlish chirp is as anonymous as the grooves. She sounds stronger on ballads like "Hollywood Life" in which she employs a lower register and holds the notes longer without sliding into melismatic excess. (It's unclear if she would be capable of such vocal theatrics). While she ranges from reflective to playful in tone it seems like the actress Raven is keeping the singer Raven from settling on a strong musical identity as of yet. [Sarah Rodman]
