Live review: Miley Cyrus shows she doesn't need taming at the House of Blues

I had one main concern about bringing my grade school-age daughter to see Miley Cyrus at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, where she performed a show streamed live on the Internet celebrating the release of her "adult-themed" album "Can't Be Tamed." I was worried that the show might be too loud. So we made sure to pack the earplugs before heading to the concert, and we sat on the floor and ate a grilled cheese sandwich before America's latest sexual menace took the stage and entertained us for an hour.

Does my lax parental attitude shock you? Try to consider this with a clear head. Cyrus is currently surviving Scarlet Letter levels of reproach for wearing costumes not much skimpier than what many elementary dance schools hawk to their prepubescent students, imitating Adam Lambert in a video and miming a kiss with a female dancer onstage -- a reference to a form of exploration quite common among high school girls.

My daughter has heard jokes as suggestive as anything Cyrus offered Monday night at kids' movies such as "Madagascar," and saw racier images on the billboards hovering above Barham Boulevard on the drive to the club. Sexual display and broad innuendo run rampant in the forest of images and references in which she's growing up; that's part of contemporary life, and my job as a mom is to help her navigate it while developing self-respect and good sense.

I also believe in bodily joy, which is something pop music has always provided me. Miley Cyrus, product of the Disney machine that she is, projects more explosive happiness in her hits than cold Britney or calculated (if admirable) Gaga offer, and she's more of a tomboy than Taylor, whose princess act I find grating, though I admit that the politic blond is, at this point, a better songwriter than her more uncensored friend.

Hannah Montana wasn't too much of a hit in our house -- my kid and her friends all prefer the snappier iCarly, and SpongeBob rules supreme. We never saw Cyrus' movies. But we like her hits. "7 Things" kicks foolish-boy butt with a forgiving heart; "The Climb" shows her godmother Dolly's influence. And "Party in the U.S.A."? You haven't really heard that song until a back seat full of kindergarteners has sung it to you. 

So I didn't hesitate a bit when the chance arose to make this review assignment a mother-daughter date. I wasn't alone; the Cyrus show was initially planned as an 18-and-over event, but many concertgoers complained (including plenty of VIP's, judging by rows of sparkle-drenched tweens and their little sisters lining the balcony) and, day of show, it was announced that youngsters would be admitted.

Cyrus emerged on time, as the live stream demanded, marching onstage in leather pants and a cut-out leotard that, like many of her recent costumes, seemed Bob Fosse-inspired. (Her "shocking" costumes of late haven't really been that revealing, though the brownface of the ice skating-chola getup she rocked at Sunday's MuchMusic Awards went too far in a different way.) She stalked the stage with her dancers, singing her album's title track, and then proceeded to chart and belt her way through several selections from "Can't Be Tamed," including one song about not letting others rule her actions ("Robot"), another supporting "my gay fans" ("My Heart Beats for Love"), and another encouraging women to leave abusive or confining relationships ("Liberty Walk").

The sound of the new material was classic rock-lite, with big power chords and a few dance beats thrown in. Cyrus sang the material emphatically, displaying serious lung power throughout. She's a capable rock belter with that nice rough grain to her voice -- a quality that will benefit her as she goes through this harder-hitting vein, which may prove a lifelong path but more likely will make for a logical transition from the candy pop of her youth to the crossover country that's her best bet for a long career.

As for the content of her latest efforts, Cyrus, who co-writes with professional songwriters, is expressing the same fears and hopes that often preoccupy late adolescents. Freedom, individuality and the need to know whether love is true were certainly preoccupations of mine back when I was a 17-year-old Catholic kid with a first boyfriend and an eye on the world beyond high school.

They seemed a bit beyond my 6-year-old; she got bored and went to look at the colorfully decorated side balcony while Miley got deep into her new stuff, though she happily air-drummed during her cover of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," and returned to sing and dance along with the oldies the former Hannah trotted out after the live-streaming portion of the night ended. She really just wanted to sing along to "Party in the U.S.A."

One telling portion of Cyrus' House of Blues set, not included in the live stream and mostly ignored by my own child, really seemed aimed at the grown-ups in the room. Oiling the wheels of her music with the real rock band that backed her all night, she smashed together three songs representing an elder few might have expected her to cite -- Joan Jett, the former "jailbait" star who became one of rock's most important female figures after surviving her intensely packaged pop youth in the Runaways.

As Cyrus rampaged through "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," the Runaways' "Cherry Bomb" and Jett's signature "Bad Reputation," I couldn't help but imagine her sitting in a movie theater watching the recent biopic about that teen-age band. How could she not relate to the story of those wild girls, manipulated in ways connected to, though different from, her own youthful stardom, and struggling to find the will to go beyond that psychological serfdom?

By embracing the role and the sound of the rock rebel, Cyrus claimed Jett, who was herself 17 in the Runaways, as mentor. And she also showed that she's still listening to Mom and Dad. One way to see her latest phase is as an attempt to claim the abandon and sense of power that rock offered her parents' generation. Rock has always celebrated sexual liberation. It seems completely natural that Cyrus would not only present that as part of her act, but actually feel it.

-- Ann Powers

Photos: Miley Cyrus performs at the House of Blues. Credit: Frank Micelotta / MTV

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Comments

[erin]

Can't sing, can't act, can't dance, wait why is Miley famous again? Oh yeah because of Miley's one-hit-wonder father and publicity stunts. What trash, nothing but a Britney Spears wannabee.

[Bob Heghmann]

Like Ms. Powers I am an older (try ancient) Miley fan. I remember all the way back to the Mickey Mouse Club and the many child stars who tried (and failed) to escape the Mouse House and become adult film stars. The current crop including Selena, Vanessa and Miley are the most talented of all the young actresses who graduated from the Mouse. I really thought Miley would make it. Now I am not so sure.

I think she is just running too fast, trying to grow up too fast. She cannot mature as an actress until she matures as a person. She's not taking the time to mature. She's running from part to part. A drama coach is no substitute for the maturing process. She should be looking for one coming of age part each year that challenges her and forces her to mature as a person so that she can mature as an actress.

One of the problems I think is that Team Cyrus is a closed shop. Her agent at CAA will not accept any unsolicited screenplays. I know. I tried my hand at writing two transition screenplays, submitted them to CAA for Miley and they were returned unread. I think Miley should be casting the widest net possible and by shutting out indie writers and producers I fear she is shutting off the very sources of material she needs.

One reason many actors are continuously successful is that writers write for them. When I sit down to work on a new screenplay in order to imagine the actor's movement and to write dialogue I have to have a specific actor (man or woman) in mind. I then write the screenplay for that actor and more often than not submit the work to the actor's agent for his or her review.

Instead of buying properties and trying to make the female lead fit herself, Miley should open herself to indie writers and producers and encourage them to write specifically for her. If she doesn't reach out to the indie community, I am not sure she will be able to complete her climb. To date, I have been singularly unimpressed with the guidance she has received from Team Cyrus.

[Tim]

well said. Miley isn't going anywhere

[WTF?!]

"Does my lax parental attitude shock you?" Yes, and for one reason and one reason only: She is underage! certain images of her both in pictures and video would be considered child pornography and people having such images on their computers could be considered pedophiles. If she was over 18 then I say 'have at it' and enjoy, but while she is still considered a minor in the states you absolutely should not be promoting and condoning this

[Sherri]

Im sorry, but Miley is omly doing the same old,same old as every other Disney star before her and its getting old eal fast! At the Much Music awards she was rediculous, she looked like she was going to barf when she had to belt over to reach the vocals needed to sing Cant Be Tamed, she ran out of breath shortly after it started, she had trouble walking in her grown up heels, I found it all just a mess! She has a long time to go to play the sexed pop girl act! I didnt find it vocally good at all, didnt find it sexy at all, just messy! Good thing the screaming teens dont really listen because if they did they would not have liked it! JMO

[Vijay]

While I agree with you that a responsible parent needs to help kids navigate the sexual innuendo and other influences that our times bestow on them, I believe that kids need role models. Perhaps the Hannah Montana fans are not very good at distinguishing their fictional idol from the actor Miley Cyrus. As role models go, Cyrus' attire public discourse and a little obfuscatory language about her controversies leave little to be desired. She has made some comments on 'loving' people. I wonder how much kids learn from such platitudes. If Cyrus weren't so much a role model but just another entertainer like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera, then there is no more to be said. I would still not choose her concerts to attend for my elementary school children. Getting them to experience the ways of the world are not quite the same as helping them think.

[Anthony]

Miley Cyrus does not fail in surprising people. The way how she is displaying herself as a teenager and her father acceptance of this is so outrageous. There is a good way and bad way of being sexy, and I feel that Miley is acting too provocative. Look at her performance on Much Music Video Awards. If you have she has to use so much sex to sell her performances at such a young age, something is up.

[Geoffy]

Well said! "Liberty Walk" is a hit. It's more mature and, I think, going to be her breakthru single from this record.

[kate]

I'm 55 .. my daughter is 22 .. and WE LOVE MILEY! "I Can't Be Tamed" is a great song .. try listening to it on your ipod when you're walking. I just keep hitting the 'repeat' button! She is a youngster trying to figure it all out and making some mistakes. Stop criticizing her already! This is a confident kid with a privileged background .. the world is her playground .. I think she's doing great. Go Miley!

[Den]

A billboard is not placed by a mother. A mother (you, Ms Powers) took your daughter. Do you get it?

[Cady]

Finally, an open-minded person! Want to see something "scandalous" and "slutty"? Go to any high school or club and check out what girls Miley's age are up to. She's being the loveliest 17-year-old I know (and I know a lot of them, since I am 17 myself).

[Becca]

I think you should retake taking your underage child to a bar. I am 20 years old and didn't get to go to a bar until I was 18, legal age to get in but not drink. It is not an atomsphere for children. A 6 year old has NO business in a bar, period. People need stop encouraging their children into adult pursuits.

[Jeff K.]

An interesting and well-reasoned review. It would be easy for me to react knee-jerk to alot of what you said (as others apparently have), but it was written in a rather thoughtful way. I do not know if I would have brought my daughter to the concert, but given your review, I cannot fault you. Not that it is any of our business how you parent your child, but if you can put up with kindergarteners singing "Party in the USA" (an experience I have endured), then you are doing a fine job.

[Becca]

Well, I don't know what the legal age is in California but in North Carolina, it is 18 to get into a bar. And they can't even change it for concerts.

[Yolanda]

Wow, six years old and you take her to an adult venue? Regardless of the change, "it was announced that youngsters would be admitted". Not for one minute did you consider how inappropriate it was, you got paid to attend!

Take your parenting seriously and let her enjoy her childhood, free of sexual innuendoes and adult issues that she doesn't NEED to understand. Childhood is to be treasured and it is your reponsibility to let your daughter keep it and enjoy it, and you wondered why she was bored.
When she is an adult she will thank you for it. My son now twenty thanked me for keeping the "adult issues" out of his childhood, because you can never get it back.

[Tom]

Good to know she didn't expose her crotch at this venue- perhaps because of all the uproar over her previous concert? Your six year old would have found it confusing.

[Kristen]

I like your article (:

To the comments-
MILEY IS NOTHING LIKE BRITNEY. Britney Spears does not sing when she performs and she goes around partying and drinking. I have never seen Miley do this.
Mileys personal life and her life as an entertainer are SO different. I've never seen her wear anything inappropriate when she isn't performing. She has a boyfriend of one year and she's only been with Justin Gaston and Nick Jonas otherwise (as far as we know). So its pretty illogical and unjustified to call her a slut.

Yes, her performances are similar to Britney, but Britney was always caught in unstable relationships and going out drinking! You can't just sit there and pretty much predict or wish that upon a girl that has done nothing wrong.

and Parents should be role models for their kids. NOT 17 year old girls!
geez.

[Ashleigh]

I completely agree with this review. She's a lot more mature than other 17 year olds. I mean, Does anyone know mileys personal life? No, and her stage persona has nothing to do with what she does off stage. People are obviously jealous. She's a 17 year old with a hot career, hot body, and a hot boyfriend. If parents want their kids to have role models, then THEY should step up and teach their kids right from wrong. Miley's job is to entertain, and she does a great job. She isn't 12 anymore, and people need to get over it. Move on! Miley's grown, and there is nothing anyone can do. And you commenters are acting like this reviewer ordered her daughter shots or something. The kid was supervised! So quit being prudes and grow up!!
Can't wait to buy the album!
<3

[Ashley Ruski]

AWESOME review Ann Powers! There has been way too much neagtivity surrounding a young woman who clearly lives and works to inspire! You really shot down the negativity here. I applaud you!

[Rocco]

Well written, Ann.

[mfan]

Every single year, Miley kicks it up a notch. Her performance of "Can't Be Tamed" at the Much Music Awards made Brittany Spears look like a fifth grader. Miley not only Rocks, she Rules!

[mfan]

P.S.
And in keeping with the positive comments, Miley is a good person. If everyone in the world were as good a person as Miley, we wouldn't need a Nobel Peace Prize committee because there would be world peace.

[Vijay]

Oh, and I'm sure Cyrus doesn't dress up the same way except on stage. Good point. If that is the case, who makes her wear her risque costumes on stage? Who makes money off her sexuality? The media, the music label, the promoters of the events, the team that markets her, even her parents (out of naivete, I hope). We never learn from history. Count the number of young teeny divas who have similarly been exploited and discarded. I sincerely hope that MC doesn't end up like them.

[Sky]

"So quit being prudes and grow up".

I take it you don't have a kid yet, do you? When you grow up, you may feel differently.

[mark shapiro]

All this talk about miley this and miley that,,and that miley isnt going anywhere,,,though I have never seen her sing or her movies, she made enough money last year to feed the entire country of India and to me, she is going somewhere and alot further than most americans out of work or working eight hours a day at a mundane job...therefore,Miley has done quite well for herself and even Britney Spears made forty million one year and I think thats enough money to last anyone.