Brittany Yearout
News Editor
Texas native Jessica Simpson has always had a slight twang in her voice. The 28-year-old, who is currently dating Dallas Cowboy’s quarterback Tony Romo, has been building on her western ties since childhood. As such, it is no surprise that she has gone country in her recent album.
However, when comparing her first album “Sweet Kisses,” released in 1999, and her newly released 6th album, “Do You Know,” produced by Brett James and John Shanks, it is apparent she has come from a voice of innocence and has developed it into a more sophisticated and womanly style.
Each of Simpson’s albums signifies a different stage in her life. She went from purity (“Sweet Kisses”), to a more flirty, sexy side (“Irresistible”), to being comfortable with who she is (“In This Skin”), to ending her marriage with Nick Lachey (“A Public Affair”). Her newest album is full of heartache, but also elation, and resonates with every woman who has fallen in and out of love. However this is not to say that men will not fancy her music.
The album’s first single, a light-hearted, upbeat hit entitled “Come on Over,” is misleading, as it does not represent the tone of the entire album. If a romantic relationship just ended, listening to her whole CD might not be a good idea. Lyrics like, “Do you know I would walk through hell for you / Barefoot on burning coals?” and “We might as well be making love” will make the recently dumped reminiscent about those past relationships.
On a less depressing note, the album has some songs that those who are single would like, including: “You’re My Sunday,” where Simpson’s faith inspires one to pray out loud and look to God for comfort, “Sipping On History,” where she offers confidence to move on and find better times and “Still Don’t Stop Me,” where she reminds all that the hard times will only make one stronger.
Simpson’s accomplishments with “Do You Know” include the fact that she co-wrote eight of its 11 songs and also sings a duet with Dolly Parton called “Do You know.”
“Do You Know” is one of the best songs on the album because it is the epitome of country. Simpson’s background music is less “pop-like,” has a slower pace than her usual tempo and makes use of the twang guitar.
However, not all of the songs on the album have as much of that country influence. “Pray Out Loud,” for example, should be placed in the genre of gospel music. Also, people that don’t care for country would definitely feel her album has a western flair, even though she is not Shania Twain, Tim McGraw or Faith Hill.
Overall, Simpson sounds better than in her previous albums. Her voice does not seem as forced, but more real and true, and she is not trying to be Christina Aguilera.
In addition, her words fit into the storytelling drama for which country is best known. The album contains stories that cause the listener, while hearing a certain song, to relate and bring back his or her own experiences of life and love.
Depending on what mood is needed for the day, one can listen to Simpson’s faith-based song of prayer, her beautiful love songs or just a picker-upper song that makes one realize life will get better.
So how much of Simpson’s personal life is in this new album? After listening to her song “Remember That,” where she gives specific instances of a man disrespecting his girlfriend and crushing her heart, one wonders if she is making references to an ex — maybe Lachey. The song seems really personal when she says, “It doesn’t matter how he hurts you / With his hands or with his words / You don’t deserve it / It ain’t worth it.” And, “Remember your going to be alright / Take it from me / I’ve stood there in your shoes.”
As writing songs helped Simpson tell her story, she said, these stories also help the listeners put their own lives into perspective. Her music is kind of like a journal, that one does not have to write. However, it still gets the same benefits of “letting it all out” and “feeling at peace.”
So, if one happens to like Simpson’s past music style and enjoys listening to country, she, or he, will find her new album “Do You Know” worth buying. It hit shelves Sept. 9.
09-18-2008
