Artist: Hilary Duff

Album: “Dignity”

Release date: April 3

Record label: Hollywood

Availability: CD, iTunes

Most of us know her from “back in the day.” As a pre-teen, Hilary Duff starred as Lizzie McGuire on the Disney Channel. Years later, Duff has released her fifth album.

“Dignity” is about what you might expect a Duff album to sound like. Although I was excited to tap into my “old-school pop” self, I found the album to be subpar even for a standard pop CD.

It is full of heavy beats and super-sugary lyrics that are typical of the genre. But to my disdain, it includes no ballads whatsoever. Nevertheless, let’s give credit where credit is due.

At 19 years, Duff is on her fifth CD and is both a songwriter and singer, not to mention actress, and her target market is most likely not those of the college age, so it’s hard to be harsh.

The most well-known song on the CD, “With Love” – from the perfume commercials – is just about typical of the sound of the whole CD.

So if you like it, then go ahead and invest the moolah to purchase the CD. If not, I suggest you just pass or buy it for your 12-year-old sister.

Hilary Duff’s MySpace