Album Review

Kellie Pickler
Small Town Girl
BNA Records

Purchase The Album

I love Kellie Pickler. And, I wanted to love this album, but I don’t. In many ways, it reminds me of Kelly Clarkson’s first post-American Idol record, Thankful. It feels rushed, and more like a jumble of songs assembled on a conveyer belt, than a collection of artistically inspired music. That said, here’s hoping it does as well for this Small Town Girl, as Thankful did for Clarkson.

The real problem with this album has nothing to do with Kellie. It does, however, have everything to do with the atrocious production, inexplicably credited to the normally on fire Blake Chancey. I feel like I’m stuck listening to a bad nineties mixtape on tracks like the first single, “Red High Heels” and “Gotta Keep Moving.” The album could certainly benefit from a boost in terms of fun, up-tempo tracks, but this was not the way to do it. They’re just cheesy and sonically antiquated.

There are a few legitimate winners here; most notably “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You?” It’s that kind of song that I could, literally, listen to for hours. It’s a perfect showcase for Kellie’s vocal ability and a well written tune to boot. “Small Town Girl” also ranks right up there, with its autobiographical lyrics, including “I’d rather ride in a Chevy truck than a Ferrari / Give me a cheeseburger, I ain’t eatin’ no calamari.” Say what you will about the kitschyness of those lines, but I think it’s important for an album to reflect who an artist is and where they’ve been. You can’t talk Kellie without laughing about calamari.

“Wild Ponies” ain’t bad, despite some lyrical similarities to Chely Wright’s hit-that-never-was, “She Went Out For Cigarettes.” “I Wonder,” one of the four tracks that Kellie had a hand in writing is gorgeous, especially when you listen to it in the context of her own struggles in life. And, “Girls Like Me” works on a playfully sexy level.

Mark my words; Kellie Pickler will rise from this mess of an album to become one of the great entertainers of our time. She’s ridiculously likeable, so country, and already a burgeoning songwriter. Give her time and a high five while we wait.

Album Review by Chris Macon.

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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.