Music Review:Vanessa Hudgens new CD 'Identified'

In this image released by Hollywood Records, the latest CD for Vanessa Hudgens, "Identified," is shown. (AP Photo/Hollywood Records) ** NO SALES **

While the second installment of "High School Musical" was extremely successful, that might not be the case for Vanessa Hudgens' second album, "Identified."

The follow-up to her gold debut, "V," "Identified" shows Hudgens hasn't really grown musically in the two years since that album's release — her voice remains weak and uninspiring. The CD adds to her problems with subpar material.

"I'm tired of the boys who don't like to dance/And if you don't like to dance you don't stand a chance," she sings on the first single, "Sneakernight." The song, produced by JR Rotem (Rihanna "SOS," Sean Kingston "Beautiful Girls"), is sophomoric and tailor-made for the Radio Disney-set. It is also indicative of the entire CD.

A few tunes suggest the promise that "Identified" fails to deliver. The title track is solid, as is "First Bad Habit. "Amazed," featuring Lil Mama, is arguably the album's best track: The lip-gloss queen and the Disney star may even see a Top 40 hit with this one. All those songs were produced by Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone," Katy Perry "I Kissed a Girl"); clearly he should have played a bigger role in this CD.

— AP

CHECK THIS OUT: "Don't Ask Why" features Hudgens at her best — a nice voice minus the bubble-gum sound. She sounds clean, clear, and under control.