Album Review: Kellie Pickler – Kellie Pickler
With a sixth place finish on the fifth season of American Idol, her affable personality, a particularly memorable appearance on Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, and a moving performance of “I Wonder” at the 2007 CMA Awards, the question seems to be, who is Kellie Pickler? All the attention revolves around everything except for her music and Small Town Girl only went so far to answer the question since it was rushed to capitalize on her American Idol exposure. By anointing her sophomore effort with her own name, Pickler hopes to provide an answer, unfortunately, it does little to actually do so.
Kellie Pickler brings nine new songs, one of which, “Lucky Girl,” is a nondescript cover of Catherine Britt’s current single in Australia. Feeling that her performance was rushed on Small Town Girl, Pickler re-cut “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” to round out the ten songs and dropped it in the fourth slot–the same position it occupied on her debut. If anything, it should provide a glimpse of her progression as an artist, but the differences between the two cuts are minute. The new version inches closer towards Shrieking Diva Syndrome, sells the melody a little harder, and where the original evinced angst, this one borders indignation. For all practical purposes, the song says everything it’s going to say by the two and a half minute mark, but chorus repetition and an extended closing guitar solo push the song to nearly five minutes. With a little editing, it’s a candidate for a single, but there wasn’t reason enough to reprocess it for inclusion.
Continuing that trend, “Rocks Instead Of Rice” settles for lifting the idea from Dolly Parton’s “I Don’t Wanna Throw Rice” and takes a cue from Sugarland’s recent “It Happens,” coyly masking profanities: “And I’d kick that lying sack of shoulda-known-better in the you-know-where.” With all of it’s nonsensical na na na’s, “I’m Your Woman” mirrors the silliness of Sugarland’s “All I Want To Do,” while managing to repeat the title phrase over fifteen times in under three minutes.
The vapidity of the message of the albums opening track and first single, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” is probably best expressed by a line from the closing track: “Spread my ashes in the shoe department/Everybody knows that’s where I want to be.” That line owes it’s existence to “Going Out In Style,” which opens with a little girl introducing “The new hit song from Kellie Pickler.” The sparse intro is reminiscent of something by Christina Aguilera before it kicks into bandstand mode complete with horns aplenty near the forty second mark.
Pickler co-wrote “Best Days Of Your Life” with Taylor Swift and it serves as Swift’s first major cut outside of her own records. The song is a solid pop-rocker that revolves around what else? A breakup. It’s a catchy little number that should only clarify the lines between country purists and contemporary fans if they weren’t already clear enough, and will further endear Pickler to Swift’s audience.
“Somebody To Love Me” is perhaps the best song on the album, not for its depth, but because the combination of production, lyric, and Pickler’s vocal come together to create a heartfelt performance. And despite all that, it feels out of place on an album that tends to gloss over its subject matter and is especially awkward when juxtaposed with the message of “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
Overall, the album actually feels a little less intimate than Small Town Girl, which featured the deeply personal “I Wonder.” Nothing here provides that kind of insight into Kellie Pickler as a person and the choices made seem to suggest commercial forces played a larger factor than personal convictions. Sugar is best consumed in small quantities and Kellie Pickler contains a little too much.
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September 29, 2008 at 2:37 pm Permalink
You’ve finally put a name to what I’ve been complaining about for a while now — Shrieking Diva Syndrome, which seems to have infected all of the current crop of female “country” singers. The question is, now that we’ve put a name to it, are we close to finding a cure?
September 29, 2008 at 2:50 pm Permalink
Listen,
I just finished listening to the whole album and personally, I love it. I believe Kellie Pickler has not gotten the recognition she deserves and her work warrents. She has a great voice and personality for days. Every song on this album shows another little piece of Pickler. In my opinion the best songs are “Best Days Of Your Life” becuase of the passion Kellie sings with, “One Last Time”, because of Kellies amazing vocals to go along with the passion she puts behind it, also “Rocks Instead Of Rice” is a great song that shows Picklers fun personality just like “Things that never cross a man’s mind” did on her first album. Kellie Pickler will rise to the top and show everyone what a talent she is. Radio needs to accept that she is here to stay and her label needs to showcase her alot more than they do right now.
September 29, 2008 at 3:02 pm Permalink
I’ve always wanted to like Kellie Pickler’s music because of her affable personality, but it’s so hard when you always feel like she could do better than what her recorded material reflects.
September 29, 2008 at 3:05 pm Permalink
I don’t feel like she can do better–she was mediocre on Idol and she has been mediocre at every stage of her development since that point. Kellie Pickler is beautiful, and loveable, and downright adorable in every way–but I don’t think she’s a superstar talent.
September 29, 2008 at 3:08 pm Permalink
She was only on idol because she was a child beauty pageant junkie (sup benet!). Next logical step. I’m not saying she doesn’t have it in her to knock a song or two out of the park.. but more “red high heels” is all I see in her future.
waste.
September 29, 2008 at 3:15 pm Permalink
“Overall, the album actually feels a little less intimate than Small Town Girl, which featured the deeply personal “I Wonder.” Nothing here provides that kind of insight into Kellie Pickler as a person and the choices made seem to suggest commercial forces played a larger factor than personal convictions.”
That’s because you knew the story behind “I Wonder”. You (evidently) haven’t heard the ones behind “Somebody to Love Me”, “Best Days of Your Life”, “One Last Time” etc. She has gone through not 1 but 2 VERY ugly and messy break-ups since STG came out. And she poured her heart out about them on this album.
Even the comical “Rocks Instead of Rice” is derived from one of those break-ups. The same one that “Best Days of Your Life” is about. She wrote both of them after she found out that an ex was getting married and having a baby. He and Kellie had just broken up a few months prior because he cheated and she wasn’t over him yet.
And then there’s “Somebody to Love Me” and “One Last Time”. Both of which were written in the aftermath of the very public Jordin Tootoo break-up.
This album is MUCH more personal and much more “Kellie” than STG.
“Small Town Girl” was intimate?! The whole thing was made in less than a month. The co-writes (including “I Wonder”) were written over the phone with people she had never met before. The other 6 songs she had to learn WHILE she was recording them.
September 29, 2008 at 3:18 pm Permalink
The genre needs as many personalities as possible, so Pickler would be a welcome commodity in the country music community for years to come. But ultimately, it’s the music that’s remembered, and on most occasions her vocal performances and songwriting have been far from substantive so far.
I’m not sure that her talent in these areas will ever improve with age, but the least that her collaborators could’ve done was steer her towards songs and performances with more of the Pickler personality and attitude.
September 29, 2008 at 3:21 pm Permalink
“And she poured her heart out about them on this album.”
Half of the thirteen year-old girls in America pour their hearts out into diaries every day–do they all have superstar talent?
What we’re talking about here is style over substance, taken to an extreme. Pickler is neither a particularly gifted singer nor a particularly skillful singer–and the same can be said about her songwriting.
A person’s willingness to open their heart, though admirable, does not make their music inherently notable.
September 29, 2008 at 3:32 pm Permalink
“Half of the thirteen year-old girls in America pour their hearts out into diaries every day–do they all have superstar talent?”
My comment was in response to him saying that the album was commercialized and not as intimate as the first.
September 29, 2008 at 3:33 pm Permalink
Well phrased guys.
September 29, 2008 at 3:36 pm Permalink
“She has gone through not 1 but 2 VERY ugly and messy break-ups since STG came out. And she poured her heart out about them on this album.”
Everyone goes through at least a few breakups in their life and considering how commonplace they are, it’s hard to make a song about one personal and that’s why the record doesn’t come off that way.
“I Wonder” was easily more intimate than anything on this album and coupled with “My Angel,” it makes for a more personal experience than a generic collection of songs about breakups.
Blake, I think with the right producer to coax her, she could produce worthwhile material. For a cool gimmick, I think it’d be interesting to throw Dolly in the studio with her and see what they could do on an album.
Lindsey’s writing contributions still perplex me.
September 29, 2008 at 3:40 pm Permalink
I am siding with the fellow Pickler fans; this album is definitely 4 or 5 star quality, not 2
@A Kellie Fan: I agree that she worked hard on this album and making it her personality, it is very relfective of everything about her — something a lot of artists don’t do
September 29, 2008 at 3:41 pm Permalink
“For a cool gimmick, I think it’d be interesting to throw Dolly in the studio with her and see what they could do on an album.”
And what would the title of that album be, “Jessica 2.0″?
September 29, 2008 at 3:44 pm Permalink
^ You can’t compare Pickler to Simpson, she is a genuine artist… Simpson is the cookie-cutter pop girl
September 29, 2008 at 3:46 pm Permalink
What makes Pickler a genuine artist? And please explain why this album should have gotten a 5 star review? What makes it stand out from the rest of the pack to deserve that kind of rating?
September 29, 2008 at 3:47 pm Permalink
Here’s an idea–let’s get Kellie, Kristy, Jessica, Taylor, and Carrie together and form a new country-themed version of the Spice Girls.
Kellie = Baby Spice
Carrie = Sporty Spice
Kristy = Sexy Spice
Taylor = Posh Spice
Jessica = Scary Spice
September 29, 2008 at 3:49 pm Permalink
I haven’t heard the album yet but I think Kellie is one of the most talented young females to come around in a while. (at least out of the ones who radio plays which I know isn’t saying much.) And In all honesty I think that while Pickler doesn’t have the same vocal talent that Carrie does, I think she has more potential to record better material.
September 29, 2008 at 3:50 pm Permalink
“Radio needs to accept that she is here to stay and her label needs to showcase her alot more than they do right now.”
So its for this kind of garbage artists like Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris are pushed off radio for? Why do we have to accept mediocrity simply because it comes with a pretty face and big bust?
September 29, 2008 at 3:53 pm Permalink
Jim, don’t give them any ideas … it could very well happen!
September 29, 2008 at 3:54 pm Permalink
“I agree that she worked hard on this album…”
Recutting a song from her debut album and giving a carbon copy performance of Catherine Britt’s “Lucky Girl,” isn’t hard work. Just sayin’.
September 29, 2008 at 3:56 pm Permalink
“And In all honesty I think that while Pickler doesn’t have the same vocal talent that Carrie does, I think she has more potential to record better material.”
This seems to be the usual defense of new artists whose work falls short of the mark. We are told that they have potential and will do great things in the future. Is it too much to ask that they make great music NOW??
“So its for this kind of garbage artists like Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris are pushed off radio for? Why do we have to accept mediocrity simply because it comes with a pretty face and big bust?”
Amen!
September 29, 2008 at 4:02 pm Permalink
Brady, Pickler is a down to earth person who has led a rough life before American Idol, this album may be good or bad, I don’t know because I have not heard it, you don’t like it and I respect that. I am not confident about the album in the back of my head just because of Don’t you know you’re beautiful(the chorus is the same line over and over again). The point is I can’t agree or disagree with you because I have only heard one song and that did not give me confidence that the album will be great when the first single is a less than stellar song.
September 29, 2008 at 4:05 pm Permalink
Razor: “Is it too much to ask that they make great music NOW??”
She does make great music NOW, but people are either not making a connection with it because they are bathing in -traditional country music is the only way to go- or… they just don’t like her because she’s young, cute, blonde… like Taylor, but with the talented, true genuine artist in side of her AND high vocal ability
September 29, 2008 at 4:05 pm Permalink
I wish Kellie would do a side album / vanity project akin to Sherrie Austin’s “Following a Feeling” where she was free to record songs she loves in the style she wants apart from Top 40 radio & commercial considerations. This way we could actually hear what lies deep inside her in a musical sense.
It could be covers of any of her favorite country songs whether they were ever radio hits or not and the more Dolly, Tammy, and Loretta material the better. You know something along the lines of Patty Loveless’ new album, and since its Kellie we’re talking about she could maybe name it “Clueless Nghts”……..(lol)
September 29, 2008 at 4:05 pm Permalink
@Dude: she has 3 of her other new songs on her MySpace page
September 29, 2008 at 4:08 pm Permalink
“… This way we could actually hear what lies deep inside her in a musical sense.
… something along the lines of Patty Loveless’ new album, and since its Kellie we’re talking about she could maybe name it “Clueless Nghts”……(lol)
Or how about “The Sounds Of Silence”? lol
September 29, 2008 at 4:09 pm Permalink
Did not know that Nicolas, I don’t go on Myspace that much, but I will check out the songs now that I know. Rick, while I like Kellie a lot, she has not earned enough respect(like Patty Loveless) to record cover songs that make an entire album, maybe later but she has to earn the respect first or else it would flop
September 29, 2008 at 4:13 pm Permalink
@Dude: That’s true… and I could totally see Pickler doing something along the lines of cover songs (maybe even an album of it) in the future
Pickler is like the ideal artist for country music at the time — she can actually sing (unlike Taylor), and she puts her heart into the music (unlike Carrie or Jessica)
September 29, 2008 at 4:30 pm Permalink
Losing pageant after pageant her mom threw her at… yeah.. rough life.
September 29, 2008 at 4:34 pm Permalink
Kellie = Baby Spice
Carrie = Sporty Spice
Kristy = Sexy Spice
Taylor = Posh Spice
Jessica = Scary Spice
I’d go with:
Jessica: Sexy
Carrie: Posh
Taylor: Baby
Kristy: Sporty
Kellie: Scary
:)
September 29, 2008 at 4:34 pm Permalink
Marc, her Mama left Pickler at a young age, that is what I meant by rough life, Not having her Mama around, her Dad constantly in jail. That to me sounds like a rough life. I have to say this, her grandparents raised her good.
September 29, 2008 at 4:34 pm Permalink
Jim u got this all wrong
Kellie = Posh Spice
Carrie = Sporty Spice
Kristy = Scary Spice
Taylor = Baby Spice
Jessica = Sexy Spice
As far as the Cd i have heard it yet but i have heard people saying its pointless that Kellie sing don’t you know your beautiful because of her looks but it fits her in many ways like when she sings
You’re wishing that you had designer jeans
Like the ones you see in magazines.
Now I know you’d give anything just to fit in
But your worth ain’t on a price tag, it comes from within. It fits her because her family didn’t have a lot of money and I’m sure she didn’t feel as good about her self because of that
September 29, 2008 at 4:42 pm Permalink
Troy, in the last song, “Going Out In Style,” Kellie pretty much lusts after a bunch of designer names (Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc) and completely negates the message of that verse you posted from “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
September 29, 2008 at 4:51 pm Permalink
As i have said i have not listen to the cd yet just that song. I will get back to you when I listen in the next few days.
September 29, 2008 at 4:59 pm Permalink
I think the most glaring hypocrisy (which is unfortunate cos I like Kellie despite her musical/mental shortcomings) about DYKYB is the fact that she had her “huggasteins” redone
September 29, 2008 at 5:12 pm Permalink
Marc: “Losing pageant after pageant her mom threw her at… yeah.. rough life.”
You wish! Listen to “I Wonder” because you apparently didn’t understand it — she literally didn’t have a mom, she was abandoned by her to her grandparents
PS: She also won the beauty pageant Miss Stanly County…
You were completely wrong
September 29, 2008 at 5:14 pm Permalink
Is it just me or is “Rocks Instead of Rice” kind of disturbing? The imagery throughout is so violent (wishing the limo was a hearse? really?).
And I’m a fan of Taylor’s songwriting, but I don’t think “Best Days” works for Kellie. Like “Rocks,” it’s too mean and kind of immature. I know Kellie’s only a couple years older, but something like “One Last Time” is so much more sophisticated and age-appropriate. I just think as you get older, relationships are less black and white.
September 29, 2008 at 5:56 pm Permalink
I wasn’t defending the music she’s doing now. All I was saying is that I think given total freedom I think she’d record better material. I’m hoping she gets a little artistic freedom on her next record.
September 29, 2008 at 6:45 pm Permalink
Jim Malec
September 29, 2008 at 3:47 pm Permalink Here’s an idea–let’s get Kellie, Kristy, Jessica, Taylor, and Carrie together and form a new country-themed version of the Spice Girls.
Kellie = Baby Spice
Carrie = Sporty Spice
Kristy = Sexy Spice
Taylor = Posh Spice
Jessica = Scary Spice
Wouldn’t Cowboy Crush stab them?
September 29, 2008 at 6:48 pm Permalink
Brady Vercher
September 29, 2008 at 4:42 pm Permalink Troy, in the last song, “Going Out In Style,” Kellie pretty much lusts after a bunch of designer names (Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc) and completely negates the message of that verse you posted from “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
You obviously were not cultured by beauty mags:
You are beautiful therefore you deserve the shoes and without the shoes you won’t be beautiful enough to catch the guy and without the guy you will never be confident enough to prove you don’t need a guy.
September 29, 2008 at 7:40 pm Permalink
“Is it just me or is “Rocks Instead of Rice” kind of disturbing? The imagery throughout is so violent (wishing the limo was a hearse? really?).”
What’s disturbing is that it’s a ripoff of an old Dolly Parton song.
September 29, 2008 at 8:10 pm Permalink
stormy
If the girl is beautiful, then would she not get the guy without all the fancy stuff. DYKYB and GOIS do clash with each other. one song tries to go deep but is annoying to hear the same line in the chorus about 7 times, the other song is just shallow and not a good message. Like I said earlier, I have only heard about 4 songs( a couple on Myspace) and can’t judge the album until I listen to it in full. My confidence in the album however is very poor.
September 29, 2008 at 8:21 pm Permalink
Dude: Ah, there in lies the problem with beauty mags–they aren’t supposed to make sense or make you feel good, they are supposed to make you buy crap until the next issue comes out with a whole other list of crap you need to buy.
September 29, 2008 at 8:22 pm Permalink
If the girl is beautiful, then would she not get the guy without all the fancy stuff.
The fancy stuff makes her feel better about herself and gives her more self-esteem therefore making it easier to get the guy.
September 29, 2008 at 8:28 pm Permalink
Troy, yeah, you have a point, but would she not feel better that she got the guy by herself and only with her true beauty and not having to use fancy stuff to get noticed. Think about it
September 29, 2008 at 8:39 pm Permalink
Yeah but with out it she wouldn’t feel comfortable not allowing her to feel good about herself so her true personality would come through and she would be shy.
Walk into a room with torn clothes with dirt on them and then try it with designer clothes. The designer clothes just make you feel better because people will think because it designer it has to be good
September 29, 2008 at 8:46 pm Permalink
We could go back and forth all night long. I am going to guess and say that you think items get you noticed and I believe that a great smile and gleaming personality will get you noticed, Just look at Patsy Cline, not the best looking but had that special something to her. i hope you get my point.
September 29, 2008 at 8:51 pm Permalink
It more of psychological thing it doesn’t get them notice but makes them more confident in themselves
Hills are on in 10 min.
September 29, 2008 at 8:56 pm Permalink
Kellie finish in six place on AI
September 29, 2008 at 8:58 pm Permalink
Wouldn’t the girls have enough confidence in themselves to say “hey, I don’t need that stuff, I’m beautiful without them.” But this is sadly what America has become, a herd of sheep that believes everything that we’re told, never questioning it. We follow silly fashion trends and buy stuff that we don’t need. I get the psych part because that is who we are.(I am not anti-American, I simply told the truth.)
September 29, 2008 at 8:58 pm Permalink
That’s what I said, ain’t it? Heh, thanks for the correction, I thought that was too many fives.
September 29, 2008 at 10:01 pm Permalink
Dude
September 29, 2008 at 8:28 pm Permalink Troy, yeah, you have a point, but would she not feel better that she got the guy by herself and only with her true beauty and not having to use fancy stuff to get noticed. Think about it
That attitude is not going to sell ANY $250 pairs of shoes.
September 29, 2008 at 10:07 pm Permalink
I’m not trying to sell $ 250.00 shoes, I just spoke my mind. By the way, who in the hell would buy a $250.00 pair of shoes. I believe that fancy stuff just spoils us and that is my belief. You have your own beliefs but I seriously want to know who would buy a $250.00 pair of shoes, that sounds like a rip-off. If you did =, then you are an idiot. I’m not trying to be cruel, that is just how I feel.
September 29, 2008 at 10:08 pm Permalink
That’s What She Said!
September 29, 2008 at 10:31 pm Permalink
I shop at Macy*s all the time, and I’m a ***GUY*** — I would NEVER wear something with a Walmart tag on it; better clothes may not make a better person – but it does help
And I think this really comes from how Pickler grew up in a town where Walmart was the big store and now she can afford to shop in those high-end retailers
September 29, 2008 at 10:34 pm Permalink
I like kellie– she is nowhere in Carrie Underwood’s league vocally-but she is a decent singer who at least stays on key, unlike Taylor. I admit I was not a fan of Kellie on american idol as she was too ditzy and not the best vocalist. But she grew on me since then a little- and I think she is a kind person.
Truthfully— Kellie blows Taylor swift out of the water, yet for some unknown reason, Taylor gets all the attention and does not deserve any of it. Taylor has the worst voice in all of country music and cannot hold a tune to save her lie. She is getting arrogant and over-exposed.
By contrast– Poor Kellie can at least sing in pitch- and is genuine and likeable and I think she can have a respectable career…
However the only song I like is rocks instead of rice. the taylor swift co-write is a pop song, as usual, since that is all Taylor knows how to write. It mystifies me that taylor labels herself as a country artist when she re-mixes all her songs to pop. Not cool.
Anyway- I was hoping for a little more from kellie- but I will still download a few songs. I just don’t want to buy the album.
September 30, 2008 at 8:41 am Permalink
I love Kellie Pickler. But I can only barely
tolerate her music. The appearance on 5th grader
was hilarious. Was that real or was she doing
some acting? I think her forte would be in a
sitcom. She could be the Suzanne Somers of the ’00s.
September 30, 2008 at 9:30 am Permalink
Dude/Nicolas, the pageant crap that made her the joke of idol capped her for me. Whether her mom was around or not, whether she won a pageant or not, doesn’t matter. She’s Just Another Waste of Cells ™ contributing nothing. Even Taylor Swift has more to offer… she can write a song. Kellie needs to realize her 15 minutes are up.
September 30, 2008 at 9:31 am Permalink
Dude, I think Stormy was being sardonic.
September 30, 2008 at 9:59 am Permalink
My bad Leeann Ward, i still think that though, and stormy, if I hurt your feelings with that comment, then I apologize but that is how i feel. I will listen to the album tonight and give y’all my opinion. By the way thanks Leeann, I learned a new word today in Sardonic.
September 30, 2008 at 10:02 am Permalink
Stormy, do your feelings ever get hurt?:)
Dude, you should read some of Stormy’s comments from the past. I guarantee that she’s more with you than you think on the $250 shoes.:)
September 30, 2008 at 10:05 am Permalink
I’m new here so I’m still trying to learn how everyone ticks. I test the limits and then back off when I realize that I’ve gone to far. Yet again, I apologize if anyone has been offended by my comments.
September 30, 2008 at 11:21 am Permalink
“Shrieking Diva Syndrome” – I effin love that term. Thanks, Brady for giving us a catchphrase to corral the ‘this is important so I must scream it’ ladies together. Maybe there should be a support group for them, with 12 steps or something. (Somebody needs to play these girls a Trisha Yearwood album.) Cue: Razor. ;)
And with your permission, I (and surely others too) can start using the term in our everyday ramblings on here and in the forum.
September 30, 2008 at 12:00 pm Permalink
Wow. Just what I was expecting, and why this blog is so irrelevant.
September 30, 2008 at 12:12 pm Permalink
@Mike – Good job on backing your statement up with some relevant evidence.
September 30, 2008 at 12:24 pm Permalink
Mike: You read the review presumably, isnt that what would make a review “relevant”? It isnt designed to create a new financial crisis bail-out bill, it’s there for you to read and then to comment on, which you did….
September 30, 2008 at 12:28 pm Permalink
I entirely agree with “Brody”’s first follow-up statement, that we may have hoped there’d be a bit more talent to match the outsize personality. We want someone like Kellie Pickler and, to be real for a moment, we’re looking for the next Dolly.
And yes, while there are moments when Dolly’s witticisms seem rehearsed (many times with evidence, when certain jokes are repeated as though we don’t know how to watch her on two different talk shows), Dolly has always been able to bring the goods when it came time: vocally, lyrically, etc.
Kellie, and I hate to say it, wants to be those things but cannot produce the goods when called.
September 30, 2008 at 12:39 pm Permalink
“…, to be real for a moment, we’re looking for the next Dolly.”
No, we aren’t. We still have the current one.
September 30, 2008 at 1:00 pm Permalink
Bleah. I’m not a big fan of Kellie. I *loved* “I Wonder” even before I knew the back story, because it just sounded so true and down to earth. I’ve not seen much of Kellie outside radio, though, so I don’t know what she’s really like. However, “I Wonder” is the Kellie that I want, not the one who’s buying shoes that cost more than my entire wardrobe put together, then telling other girls that they’re beautiful just the way they are by paraphrasing nearly half of my least favorite Martina song.
By the way, if Kellie et al. have Shrieking Diva Syndrome, what does Craig Morgan have? Bellowing Bubba Syndrome?
September 30, 2008 at 1:42 pm Permalink
Okay. Consider me tripped up.
How’s this:
I want someone like Kellie Picker for country music and, to be real for a moment, when Kellie came on the national scene a few years ago, I thought we’d found the next Dolly.
September 30, 2008 at 2:57 pm Permalink
Joe: “I want someone like Kellie Picker for country music and, to be real for a moment, when Kellie came on the national scene a few years ago, I thought we’d found the next Dolly.”
I think based on Pickler’s loveable personality, ability to put emotion to song, and with her unbelieveable talent vocally – she could be
I can totally see several hits being released to radio from this album… and she will improve for his next albums by learning
September 30, 2008 at 2:58 pm Permalink
I don’t think she’ll ever be as popular as Dolly, but her all-around talent and personality make her a genuine artist like that of Dolly
September 30, 2008 at 3:16 pm Permalink
Whoa whoa whoa. Hold your horses there, boy. Am I mistaken, or…are you comparing Kellie Pickler to Dolly Parton?
September 30, 2008 at 3:22 pm Permalink
Blonde, big boobs and chuckles a lot when they talk, are there other similarities that we should know about between Pickler and Parton? I am not a fan of Parton, actually, but can we wait for Pickler to display some sort of longevity or to create a true impact before we compare her to Parton? How ’bout this, Bucky Covington is the new Bob Wills, cuz both names start with a “B”….how ’bout Chris Daughtry is the new Roger Daltrey, cuz the last names sound kinda close?!?!?!?!?
September 30, 2008 at 3:51 pm Permalink
“I can totally see several hits being released to radio from this album… and she will improve for his next albums by learning.”
Here we go again. If she’s such a great artist, why can’t she deliver a great album NOW? Why do we have to wait until some unspecified time in the future?
September 30, 2008 at 4:07 pm Permalink
I’m surprised that Kellie is attracting so much attention (both pro and anti). Personally, I think she’s only an average singer who would never have got a record deal without American Idol, and although she has some charm and personality I would never even think of comparing her to Dolly, who is a truly great singer and songwriter. I was genuinely touched by I Wonder on the first album, but harbour mean suspicions about how much Kellie herself contributed to the actual writing of the song (although I know it relates to er own family background). I do prefer her to fellow Idol alumna Carrie Underwood because I think she is more genuinely a country singer, even if her talent is more modest.
September 30, 2008 at 4:14 pm Permalink
If we’re going to make comparisons, Pickler strikes me as more of a new Mindy McCready, rather than a new Dolly. I’m not referring to McCready’s messed-up personal life, but just as McCready was dubbed “Shania Lite” back in the 90s, I think Pickler is “Carrie Lite” for the present day.
September 30, 2008 at 4:28 pm Permalink
totally the new Marie Osmond
September 30, 2008 at 4:32 pm Permalink
I’d rate Osmond much higher than Pickler.
September 30, 2008 at 5:06 pm Permalink
This may be the first negative review I actually agree with on this website. Glory be!
I was expecting much more from Kellie on this album. When she released her first one, I was completely unaware, nor did I care. Due to my utter contempt for shows like American Idol, it takes one helluva musical statement for me to even consider a contestant’s post-Idol record. We received a few promo copies here in the office, however, and with a smirk I tossed it into the computer to see how truly bad it was.
Turns out, it was pretty darn good. I was shocked, and pleasant surprised. Red High Heels I could have done without, but I Wonder (before I knew the story and certainly after her live performance) more than made up for any shortcomings on the album. One of the Guys struck a chord, as did Didn’t You Know.
I’ll admit, I dig the message behind Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful and was excited as it was to be, I assumed, a preview of what was to come. As a fan, I too knew about the two nasty break-ups and looked foward to those making for some great sob story tracks.
I grabbed the cd this morning, and have been listening to it since. Not because I love it, but because I’m trying to convince myself that there’s more to it than what I’m hearing.
Besides Don’t You Know, I’d have to agree with Brady for once that the only two other tracks I like are “Best Days” and “Somebody.” The rest just seems silly and trite (Going Out in Style? Seriously!? ALSO…I think that’s her little brother at the start, not a little girl, though I may be wrong) or grating and weak, a’la I’m Your Woman. And although I do love Didn’t You Know I’m wicked confused as to why it occupies a spot on Round 2. We heard you the first time, hon.
THIS is the cd I expected when I saw Small Town Girl sitting in a box that afternoon – not on her “more personal” sophmore effort. Knowing her backstory doesn’t do jack for your appreciation of the music. I didn’t know it going in and loved her tunes regardless; I know it now and don’t care for the result. Crap happens in life, and it usually makes for good, soulful songs, not this overprocessed tin-can crap.
I’m sorry, Kellie, I love ya, but this cd is not worth the $9.99 I paid.
September 30, 2008 at 5:41 pm Permalink
I just bought my Deluxe edition, best album of 2008 <3 and totally worth what I payed for
Razor: “Here we go again. If she’s such a great artist, why can’t she deliver a great album NOW? Why do we have to wait until some unspecified time in the future?”
I said she’ll get better as she progresses; right now (IMHO), she is already way up there when it comes to being a good artist – she has a unique personality that doesn’t get lost, an amazingly powerful and emotional touch to her voice, and she is my second favorite country vocalist <3
Kellie, thank you for another 5-star album, keep excelling! LOVE YA!
September 30, 2008 at 5:48 pm Permalink
Excellent post, Glads Gal.
September 30, 2008 at 6:32 pm Permalink
Glads Gal: “And although I do love Didn’t You Know I’m wicked confused as to why it occupies a spot on Round 2. We heard you the first time, hon.”
This re-recording is much better, it feels a lot depper and her vocals on the song are much improved this time around
September 30, 2008 at 6:35 pm Permalink
I definitely don’t find that she matches Dolly in the.. err.. upstairs.
I can’t stop thinking that she’s country’s Christina Aguillera.. except that behind all the freak.. Aguillera can actually sort of sing.
September 30, 2008 at 8:02 pm Permalink
I just listened to the album and like I said I would, I can now give an honest opinion about the album and not have to guess. the album is okay, I don’t think it deserved a 2 but at best, it was average. I would give it a three out of 5 but that is not up to me. I respect your opinion Mr. Vercher and I think we are almost on the same page, but something is off. The only blaring weak link among a Decent group of songs in an average album is Best Days of Your Life. It does not fit in with the album at all mostly because it is a pop rock song(like Mr. Vercher said) in a group of Country Pop songs. Country Pop is Kellie’s forte, not pop rock. I quickly found out why that song is a pop rock song, Taylor swift co-wrote it with Kellie and that is why it is a Pop Rock song. Overall, Kellie could’ve spent a little more time on the album, but in the end, it was not bad, just not epic or great. Oh and people, quit comparing Kellie to Dolly. Dolly is a legend and Kellie is an average country pop artist, do the math.
September 30, 2008 at 8:40 pm Permalink
I like Kellies personality, but this whole cd is too pop, and like Brody said, i think she could do better.
September 30, 2008 at 8:43 pm Permalink
I thought you guys might like to read a review by a professional journalist…
Music Review: Kellie Pickler comes of age as an artist on new self-titled CD
By MICHAEL McCALL
For The Associated Press
September 29, 2008
Kellie Pickler, “Kellie Pickler” (19 Recordings/BNA Records)
Kellie Pickler was right to wait to use her name as the title of an album. With “Kellie Pickler,” her second CD, she improves at crafting songs that express her natural exuberance, and the emotional depth behind it.
The blonde North Carolina native may not have the vocal range or force of fellow “American Idol” contestant (and eventual winner) Carrie Underwood. But Pickler’s down-home personality has made her a fan favorite, and her debut CD, “Small Town Girl,” went gold without any singles cracking the country Top 10.
Pickler co-wrote five of her new songs, including three of its best. “Rocks Instead Of Rice” crosses the sassy, spurned woman narratives of Loretta Lynn with the witty cattiness of the “Sex and the City” principles picking apart a rival across the room.
“Somebody To Love Me,” an aching ballad, taps into the insecurity of loneliness with believable feeling, while “Going Out In Style” is a cheeky song about wanting to be buried in the shoe department of Saks Fifth Avenue. It’s set to a brassy arrangement that updates country swing for modern times.
Pickler isn’t yet as consistent as she can be, as a couple of songs slip into generic country-pop. But she’s clearly growing creatively, and while some cynics may characterize her unfiltered persona as ditzy, her new album suggests she’s far from a here-today, gone-tomorrow novelty.
CHECK IT OUT: “Lucky Girl” is a sophisticated vamp that mixes Rita Hayworth-style cabaret with a snake-charmer arrangement that suggests how much more inventive contemporary country music can be in the hands of someone willing to take creative chances.
September 30, 2008 at 8:48 pm Permalink
Chris Lindsey, you wouldn’t happen to be the producer of this album, would you.
September 30, 2008 at 8:53 pm Permalink
Yes, it’s me. Kellie Pickler producer and favorite 9513 whipping boy…
September 30, 2008 at 8:54 pm Permalink
“I thought you guys might like to read a review by a professional journalist…”
Does the IP address of this Crhis Lindsey match that of the Cris Lindsey from “Red Umbrella”?
Not so subtle dig, huh?
September 30, 2008 at 8:57 pm Permalink
Chris Lindsey, I have all the respect in the world, I have heard how hard your job is and I’m not trying to put you down because it takes a great mind to be a producer (I want to be one someday, got any advice). I exercise my right to free speech on this site however and I feel that this album is average at best. Please don’t be offended at this but that is how I feel, I’m sorry.
September 30, 2008 at 8:58 pm Permalink
I have all the respect in the world for you(noticed that right when I submitted, sorry.
September 30, 2008 at 9:02 pm Permalink
Dude… I respect you and your opinions as well! But, I also have the right to exercise my own free speech!!
September 30, 2008 at 9:07 pm Permalink
I know Chris, never said you couldn’t do that, go ahead and do so by all means, you’re just as American as everyone else. If I offended you though I’m sorry but i stand by my statement.
September 30, 2008 at 9:07 pm Permalink
Chris L., I actually have a couple of questions for you, since you’re here.
Why is Kellie yelling in “Best Days of Your Life.” I think the song isn’t too bad, but I’m turned off by the amped up vocal. I think she could have sounded ferocious without literally yelling the lyrics.
I can’t comment on the other songs, because I’m honestly not inclined to buy the album, since Kellie didn’t impress me the first time around and the clips for this didn’t do much to win me over. I only downloaded the Swift collaboration out of unbridled curiosity.
I’m really not meaning to be offensive. It’s simply not my taste. It *is* interesting to get the perspective from someone who is , ultimately, the captain of an album’s direction though.
September 30, 2008 at 9:08 pm Permalink
Sorry, I guess I really only had one question for now.:)
September 30, 2008 at 9:15 pm Permalink
Leeann… I don’t know how to answer your question. I wouldn’t characterize that vocal as “yelling”.
September 30, 2008 at 9:17 pm Permalink
Hey Chris, you got any advice on how to become producer in Nashville. I’m still in High School and possibly want to be one in the future.
September 30, 2008 at 9:21 pm Permalink
Fair enough, Chris. It’s just what struck me about the song. I will admit that I’m the only one who seems to have noticed it though.
September 30, 2008 at 9:32 pm Permalink
Dude… your best bet would be to check out the music programs at MTSU and Belmont. They are both excellent. A lot of their students get intern jobs in town that lead to permanent positions. After that, most people work their way up thru the business. Start working with singers and bands that you know. Also, if you haven’t already, start learning protools. And also… establish a relationship with a good shrink now!
September 30, 2008 at 9:34 pm Permalink
Since this seems to be quickly turning into a Q&A session.
Mr Lindsey,
Re: the ‘Lucky Girl’ cover, what was the reasoning behind sticking so close to the original in terms of arrangement, parts, the organ solo, etc. I know it’s not an uncommon practice in terms of country covers (Gary Allan’s version of Todd Snider’s ‘Alright Guy’ for example), just interested.
September 30, 2008 at 9:36 pm Permalink
thanks for the advice Chris. I will look into all that stuff and the shrink! See ya in Nashville someday.
September 30, 2008 at 9:38 pm Permalink
Dude:
I was being reflexive of the sort of fashion-magazine culture that drives songs like Kellie’s. I don’t know who would pay 250.00 for shoes. Sadly, Jimmy Choos can run 2500. I usually buy mine at Goodwill because that way someone else wore out all the blisters.
My feelings weren’t hurt–if you weren’t cutlured in the world of YM-Cosmo-Glamour-Vogue its difficult to understand the warped ideal behind keeping women juuuussssttt insecure enough that they keep buying. Its just sad that so many of Kellie’s songs buy into that culture.
Maybe I should buy her a subscription to http://www.bust.com/Magazine/On-Newsstands-Now.html
Hee. This issue includes an editorial on “Museum of Femoribilia The ageless lust to increase women’s busts. By Lynn Peril” Kellie NEEDS this.
Nicholas:
I make about 85% of my own clothes. I might buy from Nordstrom if they knew how to finish a seam, but they don’t.
Chris: If you want to get back in the 9513’s good graces produce an Allison Moorer album that doesn’t suck.
September 30, 2008 at 9:43 pm Permalink
Stormy, I am currently being cultured in the Backwoods, I hope that opens up why I feel certain ways about certain issues. I’m glad your feelings were not hurt, that is the last thing that I ever wan to do to anyone. I donate items to Goodwill all the time. Chris, thanks again for the advice, that just made my day.
September 30, 2008 at 9:44 pm Permalink
Steve… first of all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But the original cut doesn’t have the B3 solo… it has a farfisa type synth. We also removed one chorus from the end of the track. We also relied on heavier elec guitar parts than the original. I think it’s more important to make a track great than just “different”.
September 30, 2008 at 9:54 pm Permalink
Chris, I think it’s awesome that you’re answering questions like this!
September 30, 2008 at 9:54 pm Permalink
Chris, thanks for the answer. I wasn’t meaning to imply there weren’t any changes (the bass line is distinctly different in your arrangement for instance).
September 30, 2008 at 9:57 pm Permalink
Chris, you are just awesome for answering all our questions. I feel bad that we took time out of your life to answer our questions but really, thanks, I agree with Leeann, you’re awesome.
September 30, 2008 at 10:23 pm Permalink
I am impressed an album’s producer would show up to in essence, defend his craft and then answer questions. Good going.
September 30, 2008 at 10:39 pm Permalink
One has to be a fantastic producer to make someone like Pickler sound like she can actually sing. :p
Ok ok, cheap shot I know :)
September 30, 2008 at 10:48 pm Permalink
““Shrieking Diva Syndrome” – I effin love that term. Thanks, Brady for giving us a catchphrase to corral the ‘this is important so I must scream it’ ladies together.
And with your permission, I (and surely others too) can start using the term in our everyday ramblings on here and in the forum.”
I don’t know if it’s completely original or not (something surely must have inspired it), but feel free to use it whenever and wherever.
——
“I thought you guys might like to read a review by a professional journalist…”
Good to see you again, too, Chris. And thanks for the glossy review for the glossy album. Too bad it doesn’t address the album’s shortcomings.
September 30, 2008 at 11:10 pm Permalink
I thought you guys might like to read a review by a professional journalist
wow, Brady, sorry man, I have to tell you, I totally agreed with this review you wrote and published on this super popular website that you run that thousands of people visit every day…BUT…then Chris showed up and totally busted out that AP article.
Since the AP writer is totally legitimate and you are totally not, (after all, I bet you’re just some writer in Texas who refuses to “sell out”!), I now have to totally agree with the AP writer,
So now I think that Kellie may not have the best vocal range, but she does have personality. The album has “sex in the city” principles and cheeky songs about “Saks Fifth Avenue.” She may be inconsistent and generic pop country, but she’s not as bad as she was and she’s not a complete novelty. Also, the production is updated, modern, inventive, contemporary, risk-taking country in that it uses “snake-charmer” arrangements and “brassy swing” numbers.
wait, that still sounds horribly lame…..
hmmmm…..well I guess I agree with you after all.
it’s always a pleasure Chris. How the mutilation of an American artform treating you these days? Lots of money I hope. I mean, how else could you measure success or credibility right?
October 1, 2008 at 3:07 am Permalink
This professional music journalist happens to agree with Brady.
October 1, 2008 at 6:19 am Permalink
@Chris Lindsey: You did a marvelous job on Kellie’s album <3 Love the new album
October 1, 2008 at 8:23 am Permalink
Ben… glad to see that you haven’t changed!!!
October 1, 2008 at 9:24 am Permalink
Hi Chris, Thanks for pointing out that “professional review”. Keep checking back here and I am sure I can post a few “professional reviews” that sound a lot closer to Brady’s than the fuzzy, feel-good one that you so conveniently posted…I gotta go grab my red umbrella so I can walk in my eqaully red high-heels….
October 1, 2008 at 10:17 am Permalink
I thought you guys might like to read a review by a professional journalist…
Stay classy, Chris.
October 1, 2008 at 11:55 am Permalink
Thanks JR!
And Nicolas..I get that she re-recorded it, and I hear the subtle differences. As I do love the song, I don’t dislike the fact it exists. I just don’t understand why she stuck it on the cd. Maybe stick it at the end, maybe offer it up as a bonus track for download from her website (a wonderful way to drive traffic to the site) but why take a spot from a new cd?
I guess I just think a brand new song would have been a better choice for batting cleanup.
October 1, 2008 at 12:45 pm Permalink
Glads Gal,
It was placed where it was to be released as a single down the line.
October 1, 2008 at 2:15 pm Permalink
Chris Lindsey, I know why you put that review up, but these people at 9513 have great credibillity and are some of the most professional reviewers on the internet. We all know you don’t like the review because it bashes your work, but do not call someone unprofessional because of hurt pride, it is just not cool. I’m sorry but it is not cool.
October 1, 2008 at 3:01 pm Permalink
Yes, what Matt B said — “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” was a single Pickler had wanted to release, but now she has that chance — I suspect it will be single #3 after “Best Days of Your Life”
October 1, 2008 at 3:19 pm Permalink
Well, alright.
But still!
October 1, 2008 at 3:34 pm Permalink
It was a good choice for her to make; that song will make a very good single <3
And then I vote for “Rocks Instead of Rice” as single #4
October 1, 2008 at 9:17 pm Permalink
I actually thought it was much better then 2. I think i would have given it a 3 1/2. I felt that the album flowed smoothly. I liked Don’t you know your beautiful for i thought that Kellie felt like that for sometime and its when a little further then this one for the girls relating to more people such as when she talks about not needing clothes to make you beautiful. Also talking about the homecoming queen about not being pressured it do doing it. I like the I’m your women production and thought the na na na’s man the song fun it close to faith hills The way you love me. Rocks instead of Rice is a good song if you are ever still bad at and ex and that it was cleverly written. Didn’t you know how much you loved me I thought it should have been released along with My angel over Things that never cross a mans mind. I thought lucky girl was well written i liked the hook on it. One last time I felt her during that song that she was missing him through her voice. I loved Best days of your life and i think it is one of the best songs on the CD. The other song that i thought was one of her best was somebody to love me. Going out in style i think was to show her personality and its fun and you get a sense of her. I do see a lot of progress in this cd she sing with more power and range in the normal parts of the song. The reason I think it is little more intimate is all of the song felt like Kellie. On Small town girl only 4 songs i felt came from her. Small town girl, Red High heel, I wonder, and My angel. Recent experiences now makes Didn’t you know how much i loved more intimate which is why i think it was chosen to be used again. In small town girl some song has nothing really to do with her like Wild ponies, One of the guys, Gotta keep movin. I think she let more emotions out for the cd. She had many years of emotions for the Cd this was the years in between the album and i think it shows. Finally about DYKYB and Going out in style. DYKYB was something she was feeling when was younger and if she has a chance she still going to want them she just saying If you cant get them you still beautiful. Buying shoes is just something that Kellie likes to do but without them everyone would still says she beautiful she buys them because it something she likes.
October 1, 2008 at 9:25 pm Permalink
I’ve been bemoaning the “shrieking divas” for a good decade now – I first used the term in a review I wrote up on a Mariah Carey disc about 1995 or so.
I’ve heard Ms Pickler’s new CD – I’d give it three stars – there is a mix of good and bad material on it with the worthwhile (slightly) outweighing the worthless
October 1, 2008 at 9:46 pm Permalink
I guess I decided to skip reading the comments on this post because I didn’t think there would be any interesting discussion, but then the producer of the album shows up! I guess I should check every post every day!
I too didn’t like the lack of a truly emotional and especially a personal song like “I Wonder”. “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” comes close, but it’s not nearly as personal. The album has a good amount of personality, which is good.
I did enjoy the album, it’s creative with good arrangements, but nothing about the album is remotely country. I have to say, it makes for great driving music, but it doesn’t move me like a lot of country music does.
October 1, 2008 at 9:52 pm Permalink
Chris D: “I too didn’t like the lack of a truly emotional and especially a personal song like “I Wonder”. “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” comes close, but it’s not nearly as personal.”
“Somebody to Love Me” seemed like the true emotional song of the album; “One Last Time” was pretty emotional too
October 2, 2008 at 12:54 am Permalink
The Pickler album is just the same old junk we have been getting from all the new female artist. Julieanne, Jessica, Christy, Taylor and Miranda. None of these women have very strong voices. They must rely on a whine or a twang to make them sound country. I can’t understand a word Miranda says. Taylor’s voice is terrible. She is has used country music to get into pop. She needs to be in pop. hey don’t care if you can sing. The women country artist that make it all the ones that have great voices. Carrie Underwood has a wonderful country voice. She is country her roots a in country. She lived outside of a very very small town on a farm. You had to drive up a dirt road to get to her house. I don’t think any of these other women lived on a farm. She did decided to get an education, which makes her more polished. Her accent isn’t as noticable in her vocals as in her speech. The songs I have enjoyed hearing ar San Antonio Rose, I Told You So, Stand by your Man, How Greath Thou Art,Jesus Take the Wheel, Don’t Forget To Remember me and Wasted. She touches the core of country in these songs. The new songs I really love are Just a Dream, So Small and All American Girl. Flat on The Floor, I Know you won’t. However, she is best with just the song and a guitar. Her voice is so write on that it is like a bell ringing. Just crystal clear. There is a a reason the Opry inducted Ms. Underwood and it is because of her voice, her committment to the Opry, her faith and morals. Stars don’t come along frequently, but we have a star in Ms. Underwood.
I wanted to like Kellie. Heck I bought her first album. She played the dumb blonde too well. The boob job didn’t her. How can she sing Don’t You Know You’re beautiful. You have do do what you preach.
What really turned me off this CD is the song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” I am a big fan of the late Keith Whitley and no one can sing this song like Keith. Kellie’s try was awful. If you try to do a cover, you must at least do as good or better than the original singer. This missed by a mile. I couldn’t stand to listen to it.
October 2, 2008 at 1:12 am Permalink
I don’t give a flying ‘f’ where someone’s from. Country singers don’t have to be from a farm or a small town in order to get what is at the root of country music: the human condition. That’s not a main reason to like someone, “look, so and so is from NY.” They mustn’t be country. “But look here is a genuine, from the holler, redneck, average joe.” Now that’s the epitome of country! NOT.
October 2, 2008 at 4:28 am Permalink
Nicolas:
”
Chris D: “I too didn’t like the lack of a truly emotional and especially a personal song like “I Wonder”. “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” comes close, but it’s not nearly as personal.”
“Somebody to Love Me” seemed like the true emotional song of the album; “One Last Time” was pretty emotional too”
But they aren’t personal. “I Wonder” was from her real life, and everyone know it. Those songs are just generic lost-love ballads that anyone can sing. Nobody else can sing “I Wonder”.
October 2, 2008 at 6:05 am Permalink
the review sums it up nicely, there’s one or the other potential radio hit- song on this album, providing some of those small quantities of sugar. But as an album this record is falling well short of target – it’s mostly an array of singles.
10, actually, nine new songs is not generous. being yelled at more often than not is unpleasant. doing, what everbody else in the peer-group does is unimaginative.
the only two reasons why i’d buy this cd is “one last time”. from the top of my head, i can’t remember another song dealing with this seemingly universal desire of having sex one more time before leaving for good. the other one is that i somehow like kellie pickler as a total package.
October 2, 2008 at 6:09 am Permalink
CAPTM8: “Carrie Underwood has a wonderful country voice. She is country her roots a in country. She lived outside of a very very small town on a farm. You had to drive up a dirt road to get to her house. I don’t think any of these other women lived on a farm.”
Actually, Kristy Lee Cook, Kellie Pickler, and Miranda Lambert are from small towns
and I agree with Matt B. – it doesn’t matter where they are from, its not what counts
October 2, 2008 at 6:11 am Permalink
Chris D: “But they aren’t personal. “I Wonder” was from her real life, and everyone know it. Those songs are just generic lost-love ballads that anyone can sing. Nobody else can sing “I Wonder”.”
I know no one else could sing “I Wonder”… but I think they all had a little personal touch to them, because this is her album of “what Pickler is like”
October 2, 2008 at 7:06 am Permalink
…And here I thought this was a Kellie Pickler thread, but somehow I read a diatribe about Carrie Underwood.
October 2, 2008 at 7:39 am Permalink
Actually Leeann, if you wanted to read about Pickler, you should head over to the Chris Knight review. We like to add a little confusion around here every once in awhile and mislabel our conversations ;)
October 2, 2008 at 7:42 am Permalink
Ah, Brady, that explains it! Thanks for the clarification.:)
October 2, 2008 at 7:47 am Permalink
No doubt, Leeann, no doubt.
It really is interesting how a down review brings out the fanboys (and girls). I appreciate the depth of your loyalty, but sometimes things just aren’t good when looked at without rose colored glasses. It’s good that your favorite artist put out an album you like, but for the rest of us with no “attachment” to the artist, it’s just not good.
When some of us “old timers” (I’m 31) come across a bad CD from one of our favorite artists, I think most of us have the ability to admit it. Some of the Trisha Yearwood albums, for example, I can’t stand… and can say so not only from a personal preference aspect, but also from a detached quality of product view.
It’ll come. :)
October 2, 2008 at 7:53 am Permalink
Marc, I’m assuming your last two paragraphs weren’t directed toward me?
By the way, I agree.
October 2, 2008 at 8:07 am Permalink
Nope, not towards you at all :)
October 2, 2008 at 11:37 am Permalink
CAPTM8-
Can’t understand a word Miranda says?! You either need a new set of speakers or a Beltone because I hear her loud and clear. I agree with the others that hometown doesn’t matter, but you might want to check your facts before you go on a rant. Lindale, TX is just as small as the rest of ‘em, and Miranda’s done some of the most innovative and non-commercialized stuff this side of Faith Hill.
Carrie has big big hair and big big songs handed to her. (I’m not complaining, just saying…) Miranda’s not afraid to holler about shooting someone…I think that’s got merit. She’s got the grit that most of the girls singing now don’t have.
October 6, 2008 at 9:24 am Permalink
Its alright Chris – Don’t worry about what the 9513 readers say. When the country music roll is called up yonder, you will be held accountable for your pop-country sins.
just kidding
but seriously
October 13, 2008 at 6:47 pm Permalink
KELLIE PICKLER DEBUTS AT 1 ON COUNTRY ALBUM CHART
Only The Sixth Country Artist To Earn 1 On Debut & Sophomore Albums
NASHVILLE, TN – BNA Records star Kellie Pickler joins a very elite group of artists who have seen their first and sophomore albums debut at the coveted Number One spot on Billboard’s Country Album Chart in the SoundScan era. Pickler becomes only the sixth country artist to achieve this feat, last accomplished by American Idol alum Carrie Underwood. Additionally, the self-titled album debuted at number 9 on the all genre, Billboard 200, equaling her 2006 debut album, Small Town Girl.
On the news, both excited and touched, Pickler said, “It’s a great honor to have both of my albums debut at number and in these really tough times when people are dealing with the high cost of gas, groceries and a terrible economy, the fact fans went out spent their hard earned dollars on my music means so much to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
Later this week, PEOPLE Magazine has an exclusive three page feature on Pickler that is in the issue dated October 20. Her self-titled album received rave reviews from US Weekly, 3 stars from USA Today, in addition to reviews from a host of other major outlets including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald and PEOPLE Magazine. She is the October cover of First Magazine.
:D :D :D :D :D
October 13, 2008 at 6:48 pm Permalink
With a whopping 43,000 copies sold.
October 21, 2008 at 4:38 pm Permalink
http://noolmusic.com/videos/kellie_pickler_wanted_glasses_-_are_you_smarter_5th_grader.php
This says it all, stupid songs and stupid…..
R
October 21, 2008 at 5:47 pm Permalink
Sorry, wrong URL. Here is the right one.
R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANTDkfkoBaI
R
October 22, 2008 at 9:24 pm Permalink
Mike… if writing “pop-country” (whatever the HELL that means) is my biggest sin at the pearly gates, I will be extremely relieved.
Just kidding
not really
yes I am
maybe
but really not…
November 3, 2008 at 11:44 pm Permalink
Best country album of the year. Kellie really put herself out there. I can relate to a lot of the song, especially “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
November 17, 2009 at 11:11 pm Permalink
I’m lovin’ this audience Q&A with the producer thing. Now we just need John Rich and Frank Rodgers to show up for some dialogue!
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