Album Reviews: "Some Hearts" by Carrie Underwood (2005); "One of the Boys" by Gretchen Wilson (2007); "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" by Miranda Lambert (2007)

On the country music scene today, there are many artists who are jockeying for position to inherit the title of the biggest female star in the genre. Whoever steps up to claim that mantle will find herself in company which includes the likes of legends such as Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and Faith Hill. I've had occasion as of late to evaluate some of the contenders, and I'd like to focus on the latest efforts from three ladies who could be headlining arenas for years to come: Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson and Miranda Lambert.

America's darling Carrie Underwood won one of the recent "American Idol" competitions which led to the release of her 2005 album, "Some Hearts". Naturally, she doesn't write a lick of her own material other than the odd lyric, but I can overlook that if someone whose musical integrity such as the incomparable Brad Paisley sees fit to invite her out on tour with him. Creativity may not be Miss Underwood's strong suit at the moment, but there is no denying the power of her voice as demonstrated by tracks like the irresistible "Wasted". I'll be looking for big things from her in the future based on her debut - which honestly starts sounding the same at about track seven or eight - but if she's going to develop further and stake an honest claim to the crown of female country royalty, I think she'll need to get out from Mr. Clive Davis and his friends like Diane Warren and Andreas Carlsson.

Next comes Gretchen Wilson, who burst on to the scene about three years ago with "Redneck Woman". Sadly, this was followed up by the half-hearted "All Jacked Up". Now, we have Wilson taking a left turn with "One of the Boys", a twanged-up affair that betrays her work with the likes of Heart and Kid Rock as of late. I was expecting a faux-rock effort this time around, but instead she's regressed even further into the barroom, which is fine, but I just think that she's limiting herself. In other words, this chick could be one of the biggest crossover artists EVER, and I mean that sincerely. As it stands now, she resembles Nashville's version of Alanis Morrissette more than anything else: huge debut, disappointing sophomore album, unremarkable third effort ... and a fanbase that is left loyal, yet confused, and in danger of dwindling.

Last is Miranda Lambert, the pouty Texan who has had a career path thus far which splits the difference between Underwood and Wilson. She hit the bigtime after finishing in the top three on the Idol rip-off "Nashville Star", but she writes her own stuff and has toured with no less an icon than George Strait after turning heads with her debut album "Kerosene". Now, she's released her second disc titled "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". Now, the title may leave you with the impression that she's marketing herself to the same crowd as Underwood - pre-adolescent girls - but that's not the case at all. Lyrically, this disc deals with themes like blowing away your abusive husband, teetotalling counties, and the parochial mentality of small towns. These have all been done before, most famously by the Chicks, but set to music, Lambert gives them an edge that is all her own that didn't come through as loud and proud on "Kerosene" as it does, consistently, on this one. There is not a track on "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" that sounds like one of the others, and it comfortable alternates between Mellencamp-esque classic rock and down-home pickin' without for a second sounding like it doesn't hang together. To my ears, this is one of the biggest surprises I've heard in a long time, and it could blow up, big.

Therefore, as for who's got the best chance of inheriting the tradition set down by those who have gone before her, among these three talented ladies, I'd have to place my bet on the under-the-radar Miranda Lambert.

Overall ratings:

"Some Hearts" - 7.5/10
"One of the Boys" - 5.5/10
"Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" - 9.5/10

Album Review: Gretchen Wilson "All Jacked Up" (2005)

Gee Dub returns with her second release, hot on the heels of 2004's "Here for the Party", which took the country world by storm. Much like her first affair, it's largely hit and miss. The album starts off with the unsurprisingly trashy title track which describes what happens when you stop by the bar for a couple of ales after work but soon end up downing Jack Daniels on the way to closing time. We've all been there. Next up is an rollicking ode to curvy, fried-chicken eating women called "California Girls", a position I completely endorse, but after that, the album takes a turn for the worse. Here's a sample lyric from the tune "Skoal Ring":

I've always been a bandit girl and he's a long-cut man
Somehow we still get along with different colour cans
When that boy comes home from work smellin' like the farm
That berry blend on his lips still turns me on

Ok, the less said about endorsing tongue cancer, the better, while the absolutely AWFUL current single, "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today" sounds like something Tammy Wynette left on the studio floor, and for good reason. Even a duet with Merle Haggard titled "Politically Uncorrect" can't save things. However, Wilson avoids a complete downward spiral with "Rebel Child" and "Raining On Me" towards the end of the disc.

Bottom line is this: If you like country, you MIGHT like this album, but if you don't really like country, you will absolutely and positively 100% hate it. It would make for half-decent background tunage for when you are camping, at the cottage or tailgating before a sporting event but that's about it.

Overall rating: 5.5/10