[allamasaid]

This is the third and last of my three reviews; this one being Jessica Simpson's country debut album, "Do You Know?." I've been putting this off for a couple days (I wonder why...) it's time to finally review it.

The opening track is her current single, "Come On Over." Some of you might have read about my previous comments about her song on other threads. My opinion is still the same; this is in no way, shape, or form a country song. You can advocate it and say that it's a love song and that a chunk of country songs are love songs. While it is true, to some extent, the song just screams "booty call." In math, I learned that "all squares are quadrilaterals, but not all quadrilaterals are squares." Now what does this have to do with the song? "All songs about booty calls are love songs (no matter how...inappropriate it is), but not all love songs are about booty calls. That was a horrible example... Moving on! One good thing about this song is the intro. By the intro I mean the guitar. Where it goes "dun dun dun dun dun..."

"Remember That" isn't a bad song by any means, it just isn't country. The formula is simple: if you want to make a country album, make it sound country (Billy Bob Thorton got the idea, so why can't she?). To her and the song's credit though, the lyrics are great and she doesn't over-sing it, which is necessary for a song like this.

Then there is "Pray Out Loud." The intro made me jump for joy since it appeared that she got the formula. Thankfully enough, it showed through the whole song. If there is a saving grace for this CD, it would probably be this song.

The same can't be said for "You're My Sunday." The intro starts off just as nicely as "Pray Out Loud," and the same can be said with the verses. However, the chorus is just atrocious. She screams it out and over-sings the life out of it. And the flow of the chorus doesn't help it either as the tone shirts are basically the same. "Might As Well Be Making Love," has the same flaw, but it actually flows.

"When I Love You Like That," will seem like a slap to the face of Carrie Underwood fans. Why? Because the intro and verses are RIDICULOUSLY similar to "Inside Your Heaven". It was that uncanny resemblance that ruined the rest of the song for me.

The title track, "Do You Know," was a lukewarm surprise. I was looking forward to this song the most seeing as how Dolly Parton is in it. It doesn't disappoint vocal-wise as they are both on point, but it was really disheartening to only hear Jessica's voice through the whole track.

The whole album in general is a decent CD at best. It has its hits and misses and a lot of decent, forgettable songs. If this were a pop album, the score would be set to one, but seeing as this is a country album, it can't be as lenient. The lyrics are, except for a few songs (Come On Over, just to name one), good and her vocals on some songs are amazing. It's good to know that Jessica has her mind and heart set to country, but her voice just isn't fit for it. It's like going to a five- star restaurant for steak. You expect to get top quality, but end up getting a salisbury steak from any generic TV dinner. Not only that, but it seems like she's is trying way to hard to be country. It's like The Lost Trailers' new CD, except that they have been doing country songs for a while now.

The Good
-Great lyrics
-Good vocals on some...

The Bad
-...Bad vocals on others-
-Album isn't a country album
-Tries too hard to be something it isn't
-"Come On Over..."

Track Listing

1.Come on Over
2.Remember That
3.Pray out Loud
4.You’re My Sunday
5.Sippin’ on History
6.Still Beautiful
7.Still Don’t Stop Me
8.When I Loved You Like That
9.Might as Well Be Making Love
10. Man Enough
11.Do You Know” (w/ Dolly Parton)

3/10

[Jade_kt]

I think there are a few great songs on her album that could do well but the rest are just okay. Wish her luck but still won't buy the album. Just not a fan of hers.

[Rayando El Sol]

I heard her album, so Im going to try this review thing

Standout tracks are:
Might As well be making Love- lyrics are beautiful, Jessica sings it well
Sipping On History- I think this one is about her ex hubby, its depressing, but very good
Remember that- I prefer Rachel Proctor's version, but its a good message song
Do You Know-last minute or so, JS shows off her pipes- Xtina esque


Decent Tracks:
Still Beautiful- nice upbeat tune-not very country though
Man Enough- I love the lyrics
When I loved you like that- again powerful lyrics- I think this one is about John M.
Pray Out loud- its a nice song
Still Dont stop me- love the song, but sort of goes against Remember that.

Skip
Youre My Sunday- Poor Tony. This is a disaster, very cheesy lyrics, she shouts the chorus.
Come On Over- I've heard much better booty call songs, this is not up to par


Postives- Jessica sounds good. I think country suits her well. I see a few potential hits if maybe the artist was not JS.
Negatives- Not enough upbeat tracks.

Overall Rating: 7/10

[pklongbeach]

I appreciate your honest approach to these reviews, but I get the distict impression that in order to stay neutral you are being a little too soft-handed.
If Rob Thomas made this same exact album you would probably be ripping it to shreads because you expect more from a real artist.
But because you don't want to hurt any feelings you may be playing it a little safe.
Ask yourself this, If Carrie made this album would you be happy?
Based on "Come On Over" alone, I would be mordified.

[allamasaid]

^ I understand what you mean. I wasnt excited going into the interview because I don't like Jessica or her music. Going with that only, all the Jessica fans were going to discredit my review by calling it biased. The same goes for my other reviews, but instead I look forward to them. It's the same for Rob Thomas. I honestly love his songs ("This Is How A Heart Breaks"), and if he wanted to venture into country music, more power to him. I wouldn't review it any differently though. If it doesn't sound country, I'll say it.

And yes, if Carrie did the same thing, I'd be very disappointed. If she made this CD, It'd be hard to like it. :T

[gretch]

I enjoyed reading your review! I downloaded the album but haven't had time to give it a good listen yet. I'm really going to try to be unbiased about it when I listen, because there are some POP Jessica songs I enjoy.

[MorexLove]

where can you hear it?