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

Album Review

Deana Carter
I'm Just A Girl
Arista Records

Deana Carter has a wonderfully distinct voice and a quirky musical style that shot the songs from her first album up the charts. It looked like we had ourselves a new superstar. Then she released Everything’s Gonna Be Alright which was a more inventive and solid collection then the first album but it went totally ignored by radio. After that disappointment Deana vanished for five years. Now after a switch to Capital records she’s back with her third album I’m Just A Girl.

It’s unfortunate that the new album falls flat. It’s one of those records that you listen to where nothing stands out and in the end you quickly find yourself moving on. The music is an obvious attempt to blend LA pop-rock with Nashville country sounds and the results are uninspiring. “Cover of a Magazine” is one of the albums weakest tracks. The lyrics are lame, the spoken verses grate on you, and you find yourself glad that it’s over when it finally stops. “Girl’s Night” contains all the same qualities as “Cover of a Magazine” but attempts to rock at the same time which does nothing but result in a headache by the time the song is over and in the process earns the award for worst song I’ve heard in a long time. If you want to hear LA rock done right go get a Sheryl Crow record.

The rest of the album isn’t bad; it’s just uninspiring. The lead off single “There’s No Limit” is one of those songs you will listen to when it’s on the radio and enjoy but it’s not something you’re going to pull off the CD rack to turn on. Tunes like “Wild Flower” and “You and Tequila” never seem to make it off the ground far enough to generate any real interest. That is the flaw of this record; you’ll listen to it once or twice. You might even enjoy many of the songs but then it will go back on your CD rack and be instantly forgotten. It’s a flaw that plagues many country releases in the last few years and Deana does nothing to avoid the same fate for her record here.

There are a couple of strong songs on the album. “Me and the Radio” could be a huge hit and it’s a song where the best of Deana’s unique vocal style come to the front. The duet with Dwight Yoakam called “Waiting” turns out to be surprisingly good. I couldn’t think of two artists on more different ends of the country music spectrum but somehow it all works. However, a couple of songs can’t save a record.

I’m Just A Girl is really a let down. Deana has a wonderfully unique voice and when she gets the right songs she can be extremely entertaining. Yet, this album is full of run-of-the-mill, forgettable pop country and Deana is certainly capable of a lot more. Those waiting for another “Strawberry Wine” or “We Danced Anyway” should keep looking and those waiting for songs like “You Still Shake Me” or “People Miss Planes” from her second release should also keep searching. This record just doesn’t hold up to either of Deana’s previous two releases. It’s a shame and here’s to hoping that Deana can be get back on track next time.

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.