Women of Country - Album Reviews

Album Review

Julie Roberts
Men & Mascara
Mercury Records

The smash hit "Break Down Here" launched Julie Roberts into the country music spotlight. Lauded by critics and fans a like her debut album was a refreshingly distinct record that lead to a number of "top new artist" award show nominations. There was no doubt that a new star had arrived on the scene and the pressure was on for a follow-up record. That record has now arrived and Men & Mascara is another excellent release. Julie's blues soaked voice is an instrument unlike many others in country music today and she belts out winner after winner on this album.

The first thing you will notice with Men & Mascara is that it sounds quite a bit more country than most mainstream country releases that have been put out this year. There is no shortage of steel guitar here. The opening track "Paint & Pillows" is a little hokey but Julie's distinct vocals save it. The title track is one of the best ballads I've heard in a long time and it easily matches the quality of "Wake Up Older" from Julie's first release which is really saying something. "Too Damn Young" has the feel of a smash radio hit waiting to happen. The real winner here is "Chasin' Whiskey" which is just about the perfect country song. If you like your country served up with a heavy dose of twang you're going to love this song. Julie absolutely nails the delivery of this song. She even tries her hand at songwriting on some tracks here and the results are positive. "Smile" gives Julie a chance to show off the power of her voice in a big torch ballad and "First To Never Know" gives the album its best upbeat number. Julie had a hand in writing a total of four of the tracks on Men & Mascara and I'm looking forward to seeing how her songwriting develops over time.

"Girl Next Door" is the albums one misstep. The song is mildly tacky and just doesn't have the punch that the rest of the songs here have. It sounds like a track cut from a bad Faith Hill record but one bad track does little to impact the experience of listening to this record.

The only other complaint here is that this is one slow album. There is no doubting the quality of the ballads found here and there is no doubting that Julie's voice shines in that environment but this album is lacking some of the funky fun songs like "You Ain't Down Home" or "No Way Out". A couple of tracks like those would have really put Men & Mascara completely over the top.

Julie Roberts has proven that her first album was no fluke and has turned out another solid album that will most likely find itself on a number of "best of" lists when the year is said and done. With Men & Mascara Julie Roberts firmly establishes herself as the new female artist to watch. She's going to be a star and a big one. Get this record.

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.