It's tempting to hate Hilary Duff, the tween-aged, G-rated blonde who's been christened the next Britney by just about every pop media outlet.

She's got the hit show, the feature films, the merchandise and now, the music. Lucky for me, I don't hate Duff. In fact, I adore her and just about everything she does. Including the corporate-produced bubblegum pop of her new disc, Metamorphosis.

Those of you who are going to mock the album and the reviewer can stop reading here, because I promise Metamorphosis is everything you'd expect and everything you live to ridicule. It's cheesy, juvenile and not what anyone, even me, would deem quality music. But it is good, hearty pop. There's a difference.

Hil, as her friends, family and moi call her, does not have an amazing voice. Her range is slim and most vocals sound like they've had some digital help along the way. The songs, however, are jump-on-the-bed fun and outshine most female-fronted pop of late, including the tired Kelly Clarkson, the extinct Avril Lavigne and the lackluster Michelle Branch.

Disney introduced Hil's musical aspirations in this summer's The Lizzie McGuire Movie, in which her character -- benevolent and goofy fashion-maven Lizzie -- is mistaken for an Italian pop star and, in a string of wacky coincidences, ends up performing for a crowd of millions at the Coliseum. Never said it was realistic, dear readers.

Two original tunes sung by Hilary and, of course, written by others, graced The Lizzie McGuire Movie Soundtrack: Radio Disney single "Why Not" and "What Dreams Are Made Of."

"Why Not" makes it onto Metamorphosis along with a dozen other, pop gems, each a complete heard-that-before cliche that curiously transcends its triteness. What's so appealing about Hilary Duff is her innocence and clean-core tween image. Fifteen-year-old Hil is giggly, endearingly ditzy and when questioned about drinking on the "Ask Hilary" section of her Web site, she incredulously responded, "I never drink any alcohol if that is what you wanna know."

Then there's the rumored rival between Hil and longtime kid-hotties the Olsen Twins, her publicized financial battles with Disney and the infamous love quadrangle between Hilary, co-Disney princess Lindsay Lohan, Chad Michael Murray and Aaron Carter. Hard to keep up with this stuff, but totally worth it.

Hil's fluffy, well maintained image aside, Metamorphosis is worth the bucks. Standouts include the independent girl attitude of current single "So Yesterday" the exuberantly brawny "Little Voice," the cutesy middle-school vibe of "The Math" and, of course, the song that's lived in my stereo for months: "Why Not," which is undeniably the most naive, optimistic, corny song I have ever been unashamed to publicly adore.

So Hil-haters, get over your pretentious selves, because this girl is here to stay. She's got film deals lined up, a debut album that's climbing the charts, big-time magazines pleading for interviews and she can afford to buy, like, the entire line of Juicy Couture. Up next for the girl who has conquered the ever marketable pre-pubescent world: driving.