Album Review: Ashley Monroe - Satisfied

Matt C | March 17th, 2007 Email Share

Ashley Monroe - Satisfied I’ve already written on this site about how worried I am that the imploding Sony label has ruined the career of one of my favorite new artists, Miranda Lambert. Even if Lambert’s upcoming release succeeds, I will not forgive Sony if they succeed in squandering the potential of Columbia recording artist Ashley Monroe, who has recorded the best country debut album since Lambert’s Kerosene.

Satisfied was supposed to be released on June 27, 2006 but was instead released only to a few digital download services. The new release date was supposedly this past Tuesday, March 13, but to my knowledge it was not released and I cannot find a revised timeline.

But enough label bashing. An artist that shows such promise should not have to endure Music City politics and incompetence.

Ashley Monroe embraced music and songwriting after her father’s sudden death when she was 13. Satisfied is the culmination of six years of therapeutic and deeply personal artistry and Monroe’s heartbreak over the loss of her idyllic family life is the dominant theme of the album. At times it is difficult to tell whether Monroe is more heartbroken for the “normal” experiences that she has lost or for the inability of others to appreciate the love and stability that she once took for granted.

“I Don’t Wanna Be” sets the tone for the album as Monroe chastises married women for not appreciating what they have and laments the loneliness of “living wild and free.” Her voice is delicate and haunting, the arrangement undeniably country and the theme a clever fusion of heartbreak and the “happy” songs that dominate pop-country radio.

“Pony” is most notable for the catchy half-yodel in the chorus. The song is simplistic, silly and somewhat nonsensical, but it is the listener’s best glimpse of Ashley before her father’s death, when she could frivol away her time with dreams of ponies, babies and cowboys. “Satisfied,” the title track and debut single, is smartly written and reiterates the theme of the album’s first song. It exhibits lyrical elegance not found elsewhere on the album but may have proved too textured and complex for a new artist trying to make a splash on country radio.

Other songs on the album are more directly personal. “Used” is written to assuage Ashley’s mother’s feelings of inadequacy following her husband’s death. “He Ain’t Coming Back” and “Make Room at the Bottom” are bluesy tunes that are generically written but clearly deal with Monroe’s acceptance of the tragedy.

The most powerful song on the album is “Hank’s Cadillac,” a dobro-driven ballad in which Monroe laments that that Hank Williams would have survived if only she could have been with him on the night of his death. While the lyrics (penned by Monroe and Brett James) exude confidence, Monroe delivery suggests anything but. She sounds not like a woman convincing the listener of her ability to alter history but rather like a young girl struggling against feelings of impotence in the face of life’s tragedies. In the first verse she has already resorted to pleading with Hank that “it just ain’t right to book a show and not show up to play,” and Monroe seems to realize the futility of this idealistic appeal to reason even as she assures the listener that it would have been successful. The song is ultimately much more about her father’s death than Hank Williams’, about Monroe’s reluctance to accept the fact that all her pleading, praying and hand-holding cannot triumph over the inevitable. Such interpretive ability suggests great musical maturity.

That is not to say that the listener is not occasionally reminded that Ashley is a new artist. “I Don’t Want To,” Ashley’s second single, is unexciting and a minor variation on a theme that Monroe risks wearing out. The song shouldn’t have been a duet and probably wouldn’t even have been included on the project if not for the appearance of Ronnie Dunn on the chorus. “That’s Why We Call Each Other Baby,” a duet with Dwight Yoakam, is an enjoyable listen but thematically inconsistent with the other album tracks. It’s likely the product of Columbia’s belief that its newest artist needed an upbeat, radio-friendly song with a superstar endorsement. Nonetheless, the song is one of the few on the album built around a clever hook and provides hope that Monroe could find success on radio if her album is ever released.

At times Monroe’s writing seems naïve and simplistic but her vocal ability more than makes up for the imperfections. It is difficult to tell whether her naivety is a sign of immaturity or a vestige of a thirteen-year old’s shattered conception of domestic tranquility.

There is a fine line between thematic cohesiveness and redundancy, and Monroe’s occasional trespasses keep this album from soaring. By the time the casual listener reaches the end of the album, he or she could be forgiven for thinking that some of the songs have been done before. Nonetheless, it is a remarkable and refreshingly authentic debut effort from a promising female artist.

Hopefully you’ll be able to purchase this album in stores or on your favorite digital music service soon. In the meantime, head over to iTunes for a promising glimpse of country music’s future (just don’t look at the label imprint).

I’d give it three and a half stars if I knew how to use Brody’s fancy images. [I got ya’ covered - Brody]

3.5 Stars

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  1. CF
    March 19, 2007 at 8:37 pm Permalink

    Nice review!

    I love Ashley and she’s one of my newest favorites and I was really trying to help get her name out, and looks like her last single helped do that, but I’m so disappointed that her record label didn’t release her album! I was waiting for it so bad.

    My favorites from the songs I’ve heard are “I Don’t Want To Be”, “Satisfied”, “I Don’t Want To”, “Thinking It Over”, “California (Barefoot Girl)”….ah ,I like them all. I really want to hear all of “That’s Why We Call Each Other Baby” though. I love Dwight Yoakam and their duet sounds like it’s so good.

  2. Matt C.
    March 20, 2007 at 12:27 am Permalink

    CF, what are “Thinking It Over” and “California?” These tracks weren’t on the album that I listened to.

  3. CF
    March 20, 2007 at 1:57 am Permalink

    Oh, I got them from a RadioTracks survey (I believe that where it was from). If you want to hear them, just tell where I can contact you.

  4. Matt C.
    March 20, 2007 at 8:08 am Permalink

    Perhaps these songs were recorded but then excluded from the album after they tested poorly? Or maybe the version of the album that Columbia released to the digital music services isn’t complete. Who knows what they’re doing these days. I would like to hear the songs though; you can reach me at mattc at the9513 dotcom.

  5. Keli
    April 27, 2007 at 10:54 am Permalink

    I haven’t been able to find this album, I love the duet with Ronnie Dunn. Is it available and if so where?

  6. Matt C.
    April 27, 2007 at 11:08 am Permalink

    Keli, when I wrote the review I thought that I had downloaded the album from iTunes. I double-checked (things get all jumbled up on the MP3 player) and I actually bought the album from Napster. Yahoo Music also has it available for purchase. iTunes does not have it.

    There is no information on Ashley’s official Sony site regarding the album release date. However, this cryptic message was posted on her myspace last week:

    “I am writing this for Ashley. She has been in the studio and we are expecting a new single release in the summer with the cd release to follow in the fall.

    Thanks for your support,

    A Volunteer”

    I have no idea what that means, which probably qualifies me for a position as a Sony staffer. Perhaps she is recording an entirely new album, perhaps she is just cutting a few new tracks to add to what she has already done. In any case, it appears that the album I reviewed will not be her official release, so look for another review when (if) her debut is officially released.

  7. the volunteer
    April 28, 2007 at 9:10 pm Permalink

    I am Ashley’s myspace volunteer and am not a Sony staffer. I asked to volunteer to help clean up her myspace comments. I am new to this so please bear with me and am doing all that I can to get her info out there. I too am frustrated with her Sony label website and their lack of current info and no fan club. Please join me in e-mailing them to complain.

    I have heard that Ashley’s single release will be in June and called “Carry On,” which Ashley wrote. I know she is very busy and currently in the studio. She is scheduled to appear with Trace Adkins on May 18,2007 at the Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City, TN. She also is scheduled to appear at the WMZQ Festival on Saturday, May 5th in DC.

    I saw Ashley perform at her first Grand Ole Opry performance and am excited for her success yet to come. As soon as I hear anything new, I will be sure to post at her myspace or CMT message board.

  8. Matt C.
    April 28, 2007 at 11:05 pm Permalink

    Volunteer, I am certainly not frustrated with you. I am definitely an Ashley fan and this site has probably given her as much press as any outlet out there.

    Do you know what the plans are for this new album? Are they tossing what they’ve already released? How does “Carry On” compare to the two singles she’s already released (Sony chose to release two of the most sophisticated songs on the album as her first two singles; not necessarily a good thing for an artist trying to breakthrough.)?

  9. TARA
    June 4, 2007 at 1:49 pm Permalink

    HI CT, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHERE TO GET THE SONGS FOR ASHLEY MONROE THAT YOU MENTIONED…I CAN’T WAIT TO GET HER CD…CAN YOU HELP ME FIND THEM?

  10. Matt C.
    June 4, 2007 at 6:54 pm Permalink

    Tara, Ashley’s CD is currently available for purchase on both Napster and Rhapsody. If you are refering to the tracks that CF mentioned, I can’t help you; he never contacted me about them.

  11. Alana B.
    June 27, 2007 at 9:09 am Permalink

    I was able to get a copy of her CD last year of of iTunes and it has been in my playlist forever, I love her voice and her songs, if they take some off and add some, I will be upset, but then again, I will get some new. I want them to release her album and get her some decent radio play time. She gets get play time on Sirius and they used to play “Used”. I would love to see more of her, they should have released her album when she was up for an ACM award.

  12. the volunteer
    August 18, 2007 at 9:49 pm Permalink

    Hi, The Volunteer here….Thought you would be interested in a good read on Ashley Monroe’s myspace, her blog “What’s going on.” There’s some amazing comments.

  13. Bill
    September 1, 2007 at 3:54 am Permalink

    Why in the world would you not release her music, I have been looking for almost a year and would love to have her music in my cd collection.

  14. Josh Lewis
    September 1, 2007 at 6:02 am Permalink

    I think Ashley has the kind of voice that could define a new generation of GOOD COUNTRY…and I don’t even mind the pop inuendos. She’s coming from a real place. I am a big fan of Miranda Lambert as well, and I hope the labels do better for both of these Artists.

  15. Matt C
    September 1, 2007 at 8:49 am Permalink

    Traffic to this post has been steady since we published it and it’s among our most popular album reviews. Ashley clearly has some passionanate fans out there and Sony may be making a mistake by holding out for a radio hit.

  16. MaryEllen
    September 22, 2007 at 5:37 pm Permalink

    Ashley definitely has a very unique sound and style.

    Is it true Ashley’s expecting a baby with her boyfriend Kieth? She does look preggie in her 21st birthday pics she posted on her myspace recently.

    –ME–

  17. Matt C
    September 22, 2007 at 11:23 pm Permalink

    I guess that I’ve learned never to say no when it comes to celebrity pregnancy rumors, but this one doesn’t have the ring of truth. Ashley is very young and having a child at this point would probably destroy any chance that she has remaining of establishing a career. Of course, accidents happen.

  18. Dave S
    September 23, 2007 at 9:41 am Permalink

    Well, somewhere in the next nine months, the truth is going to show anyway. Just be patient.

  19. Jez
    September 24, 2007 at 10:02 am Permalink

    Is anyone willing to share this album? I have tried to purchase it from both yahoo, rhapsody, and Napster but rhapsody doesn’t offer it to purchase and both yahoo and napster LOCK OUT users who are on MAC and not XP or VISTA… I would love to own this album rather than stream it to listen to it from napster and have to sit in front of my laptop just to hear it… if you post a yes I’ll gladly post my email….

  20. Alana
    September 24, 2007 at 1:48 pm Permalink

    Sure - contact me at lanibug65@ctcn.net. It is one of my favorites and it happens to be playing on my computer as i type this e-mail.

  21. Marlon Jones
    November 17, 2007 at 9:21 pm Permalink

    I like all of you am waiting, as for me she is the best since Sara Evans. Is there a site I can find out where she will be so I can go see her I live in Sara Evans home town in Missouri. Please let me know anything about her CD or concert.

  22. Jenn
    November 25, 2007 at 10:53 am Permalink

    Her album needs to come out soon! Look at all the fans that are waiting. Her music is amazing, and she’s right, she is blessed with a God-given talent and it needs to be able to reach people.

    Waiting on an album,
    Jenn

  23. Pam Hill
    December 19, 2007 at 10:00 am Permalink

    When is the Ashley Monroe CD ever going to come out? This is so frustrating. Her record company should be ashamed.

  24. barb rossberg
    March 4, 2008 at 8:35 pm Permalink

    ashleymonroes hanks cadilac has to be the best country song ever gave me goose bumps

  25. P.Newton
    March 19, 2008 at 9:39 am Permalink

    I’d never heard of Ashley before I heard her LIVE on NPR’s PHC. She played the song “USED”…and I began research of this artist immediately. Live, she plays it a little slower tempo than on the studio version and I swear I can listen to this song for hours. I haven’t even listened to anything else from the album! lol

  26. Lanibug65
    March 19, 2008 at 10:19 am Permalink

    we need more converts — now if we could only get her a record deal that would get her record out….

  27. Jim Malec
    March 19, 2008 at 10:38 am Permalink

    Getting a record out is the easy part. It isn’t smart to assume, in today’s environment, that just because a record is “out” people are going to buy it. Distribution is king, not content. It doesn’t matter how good Ashley’s record may have been, if it doesn’t have the right distribution mechanism behind it, it wont be any more successful than the digital EP. I hope she gets a deal, or prepares a strategy that works for her–because her music needs to be heard. But I have doubts that just signing her to a standard label deal and shipping singles to radio is going to work.

  28. steph
    May 3, 2008 at 1:00 pm Permalink

    Ashley was the opening act for Billy Currington in Cullowhee, NC on Thursday night and did an amazing job. So amazing her song used is now the song on my myspace page. She is definitely not pregnant. She is sooo skinny. Her voice reminds me of a young Dolly Parton, I love it. I hope that she can get with a good record company soon and put out an amazing cd. she has a ton of potential to do so.

  29. Carolyn (rainy nights)
    May 3, 2008 at 1:32 pm Permalink

    Just wanted to note that the Satisfied album is also available under the MP3 Downloads section on Amazon.com.

  30. Leeann
    May 3, 2008 at 4:08 pm Permalink

    Carolyn, thanks very much for that tip! That’s where I buy my music. I swear I looked it up a few times and never found it. However, sure enough, it’s there now. I must’ve done something wrong in my search before. I’ve been wanting to buy this album for some time now. It’s downloading as I write this message. Thanks again!

  31. Leeann
    May 3, 2008 at 8:42 pm Permalink

    This album is well worth the $9.99! I thoroughly enjoy it. Hearing Ashley’s version of “Pony” reminded me that I’ve been meaning to buy Kasey Chambers’s albums for a while now. So, I’ve been feeding my music addiction once again tonight.

  32. Leeann
    May 3, 2008 at 8:45 pm Permalink

    Interestingly, the Ronnie Dunn song wasn’t included on my digital download of Ashley’s album. I’m okay with that though. I wouldn’t have minded having it, but am fine without it.

  33. Andrea
    June 13, 2008 at 2:46 pm Permalink

    I have looked up Ashley Monroe about 15 times on amazon in the last 3 days and cant find her at all… Please help me!!

  34. Carolyn (rainynights)
    June 13, 2008 at 4:01 pm Permalink

    Andrea,

    Unfortunately, I think they took it down. It was definitely there, though.

  35. leeann
    June 13, 2008 at 6:57 pm Permalink

    They must’ve only had it up for a short time. I’m glad Carolyn’s tip got to me in time. It’s great.

  36. Marc
    July 3, 2008 at 5:13 pm Permalink

    All the airplay she’s getting through CMT, GAC, CMT Pure/VH1 Country.. especially with that great Studio 330 performance.. and still NOTHING to show for it. This would actually be only the second CD I’d buy all year… if I could get my hands on it…

  37. CF
    July 5, 2008 at 2:15 am Permalink

    Somehow I got back to this page and totally forgot about contacting Matt C. Hopefully, it’s “not too to apologize”, and I hope his email is the same.

    Also, I would do just about anything for the songs from the Ashley Monroe album. I missed out on the Amazon.com tip. I tried to get it through Yahoo, but it didn’t work and wouldn’t download so they gave me my money back.

  38. MG
    July 10, 2008 at 11:31 pm Permalink

    If you haven’t heard, Ash has been dropped from Sony per her request. She is now working closely still with WrenSong writing and recording. She is also working on a project with Trent Dabbs, an amazing artist also based in Nashville. They have a myspace that you can check out. She has had several offers to sign with other companies since her release from Sony but has yet to settle on one. As of this point, Sony owns the rights to Satisfied and it will never be released. Sad I know. But Ash is definitley working on getting more of her music out there so keep looking out for her!

  39. Vala
    July 17, 2008 at 3:03 pm Permalink

    Does anyone else have the album to share? Lanibug65’s email address is no longer in service apparently. I’ve been waiting forever to get this album and can’t find it anywhere at all and even the sites that I read offered it don’t anymore. At least not the whole album.

    Thanks,
    Vala,

  40. Braves
    July 26, 2008 at 9:05 am Permalink

    http://www.last.fm/music/Ashley+Monroe/Satisfied

    Other then that, I don’t think you’ll be able to hear the album or buy it. My guess is even this site may only have it for a limited time. =/

  41. sjfunwin
    August 2, 2008 at 10:17 am Permalink

    Ashley should pack her bags and hasten to England. They’ll love all of her work there because it comes from the heart. Check out Leona Lewis and Natasha Bedingfield for current tastes. I know I’m right bcause I’m British. My whole background has been in mass media and culture. My bio’s in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. Ashley’s the best voice and writing talent in 20 years. Don’t let it go!
    sjfunwin

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