Sign up for our free newsletter:

Critiquing teen pop records depends more on an act's ability to relate to its audience than on its artistic merit. Since taking Radio Disney by storm four years ago, Jump 5 has consistently been in step with tweens and teens' taste, presenting faith-based fun amidst sugary sweet beats.

Mix It Up is a remix collection of the hits that made them famous, plus a few fan favorites and a handful of covers. These kids are mostly on the money rearranging, remixing and adding a whole new flavor to the familiar. Immediately noticeable changes include an '80s hip-hop twist to "Wonderful," a rap-enhanced "Spinnin' Around" and throbbing club beats on top of "Throw Your Hands Up." Quality-wise, cuts like the aerobic "Start Jumpin'" and robot-sounding "Joy Ride" could stand up right beside new music from Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson, thanks to masterful pop production and slick arrangements.

Despite the CD's many highlights, there are a few tracks that don't stand out. The minor programming shift in "Do You" sounds like a cross between early ZOEgirl and the long over Spice Girls, while "Pressure" is overloaded with too many layers of programmed goop. And "Celebration" sounds much the same as their first take, other than an amplified guitar line throughout the Kool and the Gang classic.

Those who own all of Jump 5's material could probably live without Mix It Up, but there are several fun face-lifts and older songs worth rediscovering. If you're just looking for a remix album in general, it's better than average and should nicely bridge the gap till the group's next official album.

Copyright © Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.

Click here to view our music review archives.

Visit the artist pages for related interviews and reviews.

				Try an Issue of Today's Christian RISK-FREE! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issues are yours to keep, regardless. Give Today's Christian as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!