Search - American Juniors :: Kids in America

More than anything, what Kids in America, the record extracted from Fox-TV's "American Juniors," has going for it is its unsinkable stars. Unlike "American Idol's" gaggle of preening and mugging finalists, it's impossible to despise these big-belting, starry-eyed kids. The songs, of course, can be a different story: Chantel Kohl proves it's possible to further drippify Journey's "Open Arms," and Danielle White, who pours her every last ounce into "Colors of the Wind," would have been better served by a less predictable, non-Disney selection. Cutie pies Morgan Burke and Tori Thompson arrive rescue-ready with "Build Me Up Buttercup" and "Let 'Er Rip" respectively, though, and Taylor Thompson's "Proud Mary" no doubt makes her mama proud. By the time those tracks have spun, the rest of us are back to wishing these juniors were freshman again, giving us reason to rally behind a favorite as we watch them strut their still-innocent stuff. --Tammy La Gorce