Mario Tarradell

The Hannah Montana madness moves into the Latin music world. But not because the Disney Channel recording star has all of a sudden translated her two multimillion-selling CDs into Spanish. Let's not give her any ideas. The resurgence of teen- and 'tween-appeal pop from Ms. Montana (nee Miley Cyrus) and Disney cohorts the Jonas Brothers has fueled the current crop of Latin acts with youthful allure.

So let's take a look at RBD, MDO and the new incarnations of Timbiriche and Menudo.

EMI Televisa Music

Timbiriche

Timbiriche

Here and now: La Nueva Banda Timbiriche, as this seven-member outfit calls itself these days, consists of four women and three men whose ages range from 16 to 21. They go by their first names only, so as to increase that everyday teen connection: Brissia, Yurem, Gaby, Fernanda, Lalo, Alberto and Tayde. They were all chosen during a 2007 American Idol-type TV competition named Buscando at Timbiriche, La Nueva Banda.

A little history: The original Timbiriche debuted in 1982 in Mexico with Paulina Rubio as an integral member. Eventually, Thalia joined the lineup. Both went on to solo international fame. The group initially ran for 13 years with many personnel changes. A reunion followed in the late '90s, and then another one last year with the release of Timbiriche 25. Ms. Rubio and Thalia are not part of the reunited Timbiriche.

Sonic experience: The CD sounds like you would expect, 13 songs of catchy if disposable up-tempo pop with a slight R&B flavor. Every tune's chorus has an anthem-like structure during which all the voices sing, giving each number a faux grand ambience.

Disciple definitions: This is for teens and 'tweens, strictly. And once they hit 20, if not sooner, they'll move on.

Machete Music/Universal

MDO

MDO

Here and now: Today, MDO consists of Daniel Rodríguez, Elliot Suro, Luis Montes and Lorenzo Duarte. The current emphasis is on maturity both in look and sound. Granted, one glance at these guys and you can't help but see those baby faces mug for the cameras.

A little history: MDO began in 1997 as a spin-off of famed boy band Menudo. Eight CDs have been released, including 2001's English-language Little Piece of Heaven. Several members have come and gone in the last 11 years, but the band's lineup has been solid since 2005.

Sonic experience: Sabe A Ti aims to erase the image most folks have in their heads of cuties singing and dancing, especially given the Menudo connection. And yes, the disc sports polished pop songs penned by longtime Latin music tunesmiths such as Jorge Luis Piloto and Daniel Cruz Sánchez. It has more of an adult feel while still working within the young guns formula.

Disciple definitions: Late teens to mid-20s. Surely the plan is to have MDO outlast the newly reformed Menudo, which would give the illusion that MDO has finally grown up.

Cortesia

Menudo

Menudo

Here and now: They're back! For about a month last fall during the MTV reality show Making Menudo, José Bordonada Collazo, Chris Moy, Emmanuel Vélez Pagán, José Monti Montañez and Carlos Olivero battled to earn a position in the reconstituted group. They are all under the age of 20, because in this installment of Menudo once a member reaches that magic age they must leave and give way to a new singer.

A little history: By now the legend is well recited. Ricky Martin and singer-songwriter-producer Robi Draco Rosa both began their careers in Puerto Rico's Menudo, a group that forced its members to leave once they reached 16, their voices changed or they became too tall. In November 2007, Menudo celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Sonic experience: More Than Words EP, released a mere 13 days before the end of 2007, is a four-track appetizer meant to create a buzz for the full-length album scheduled to arrive in the next few months. The style is pop-R&B du jour, particularly on "More Than Words (AEIOU)." If that cut's an example, what we'll hear next will be slickly produced, instantly infectious and targeted at millions.

Disciple definitions: Ideally, Menudo's new sound would appeal to any fan of, say, Fergie, Rihanna, Chris Brown and just about every Idol contestant. But the nationality and demographic of the members dictates that the group's audience remains strongest in the Latin 'tween to teen constituency.

EMI Televisa Music

RBD

RBD

Here and now: The RBD machine won't stop cranking, keeping members Alfonso, Anahí, Christian, Christopher, Dulce Maria and Maite ultra-busy. RBD is undoubtedly the most ambitious of the teen-dream bunch. The band has already released seven stateside albums since its debut Rebelde in 2004.

A little history: The six RBD members were plucked from obscurity and placed in the Mexican telenovela (soap opera) Rebelde, which takes place in a fictitious boarding school near Mexico City. As a recording group, RBD were instantly successful north of their motherland.

Sonic experience: Empezar Desde Cero, RBD's fifth studio album and the follow-up to 2006's English-language experiment Rebels , isn't much of a stretch from the other discs: a few frothy, up-tempo pop nuggets mixed in with earnest, big-chorus ballads. That's been the musical equation since day one. But hey, why toy with success, right?

Disciple definitions: No new sound equals no new crowds. The same 'tween to teen masses will dig this. And if RBD eventually loses its commercial clout, which is about 1.6 million CDs sold stateside so far, it will be strictly because their fans turned their attention to the next big thing.