Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Chely Wright - Single White Female
MCA Records

I've listened to Single White Female over and over again hoping that the songs would grow on me and that this album would reach the level of excellence found on Let Me In. Unfortunately it hasn't grown on me yet. The album contains a number of filler ballads that just lack the ability to stand out among the mass of material that's out there on the market.

Problem #1: The album contains only nine new tracks if you've already heard "The Love That We Lost". Wright and her producer decided to remake this song (it appeared on her Right In The Middle Of It release) and throw it on this album. The problem is that the new version is in fact worse than the original. The good news is if you haven't heard this song, you'll be able to get it here. But if you've already own Right In The Middle Of It, the new version really isn't worth the time.

Problem #2: Some of the ballads on this album are downright boring. "Why Do I Still Want You" is the albums final track and also the albums worse. "Picket Fences," is a close second.

Thankfully the rest of this album is up to Chely Wright's high standards. "Single White Female" is a joy and rightfully deserves to be a number one. If Chely offered an album full of tunes like that I'd sacrifice one of my arms just to get my hands (wait a minute, that would make it hand) on a copy. "She Went Out For Cigarettes" is a brilliant ballad about running away from a flawed relationship. "It Was" could be Chely's next big hit if it's released to radio. A great mid-paced number. "The Fire" is a solid dose of attitude, where Chely takes the time to tell of a man who decides to be with another girl. Chely sings "Rubbin' It In" with such an emotional edge you could swear she was living it.

It's a shame that Single White Female slips up a couple of times. It could have been an exceptional release. Unfortunately the curse of filler music (something that seems to happen to just about every release coming out of Nashville these days) strikes here and brings it down a notch. But do yourself a favor and keep your eyes on Chely Wright. She's going places.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.