Customer Reviews

Small Town Girl

5 star:		(131)
4 star:		(47)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I'm not an "enthusiastic" fan of Kellie Pickler but I was curious as to how her debut CD would turn out. Much to my surprise, it was a lot better than I thought.

Kellie's CD is a nice balance of soulful ballads and upbeat tunes. There were a few songs where she could've done better, a few that captured the pain of growing up without a mom and of losing a beloved grandmother, and a few sassy ones that showcase her fun-loving personality. However, I think Kellie can only improve as she gets more experience under her belt.

Here are my thoughts on some of the tracks:

Red High Heels: Upbeat and catchy tune with a whole lot of sass. With Kellie's penchant for shoes, I'm not surprised this was her first release.

Gotta Keep Moving: This is a definite "cruisin' with the top down" type of song. It's fun with a real good beat.

Things that Never Cross a Man's Mind: Not sure I like this one.

Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You: This is a really good song. The lyrics are heartfelt and moving, but I'm not sure Kellie was very convincing in her performance. Her voice lacked conviction.

I Wonder: This is my favorite song on this CD. I think this is a song about her mother. I'm guessing though. Anyway, Kellie really pulls it off. Her voice is rich with pain and heartbreak.

Wild Ponies: Slow, sad ballad about a strong-willed girl who falls for and marries the wrong guy. I also liked this song and Kellie does an adequate job with it.

My Angel: This song is about her grandmother and the pain of losing her. Again, Kellie's grief really shows through her voice.

I recommend Kellie's CD as a definite buy. You'll be surprised by it as I was.

Maybe she didn't win American Idol Season Five, but now that Kellie Pickler can concentrate on singing country music, it's pretty clear that country is her strong point, and where she belongs.

On this excellent debut album she proves that she can hold her own with the best of them, and with the production talents of Blake Chancey (who also did the job for the Dixie Chicks) this album will be around for a long time.

There's no filler material on this album, which starts off with the first single "Red High Heels" and never stops churning from there in. Her strong vocals and the slick arrangements make this album special, and it's obvious that's she's having a really good time. Listen for "Gotta Keep Moving", "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind", "I Wonder", "Small Town Girl", "Girls Like Me" and "My Angel", and then listen to the rest.

A great debut album that's on par with the best out there.




Amanda Richards, October 31, 2006

I don't know Kellie personally, although we share a hometown. Despite that, I think I can say with honest objectivity that ¼ of the songs on this record have the potential of being radio hits. The production quality is very, very high. The musicianship is absolutely top notch.

When watching the show, I suspected some of Kellie's vocal difficulties were from nerves. I always thought she'd be much better in a studio setting and I'm happy to say that is indeed the case. There's nothing weak or shaky about her vocals on this record.

There are a couple of spots on this record where her voice gives me goose bumps. That's the greatest complement I know how to give because it happens so rarely with today's music.

My favorite cuts.
Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You, Wild Ponies and of course Red High Heels.

Kellie has a bright recording future as long as they keep attaching quality producers to her projects as was certainly the case with Small Town Girl.

Kellie Pickler has a naturally great voice that was made for country music. In her debut album, she has uptempo breakup songs, fun sing-alongs, love ballads, and sad songs. It's an amazing album from start to finish. Kellie wrote these songs based on her personal life. "Red High Heels" is based on her love for shoes. It is a fun song, and it is easy to dance to. "My Angel" is about her grandmother who dies when she was young. It is a vocally and lyrically beautiful song. "I Wonder", "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You", and "Wild Ponies" all show Kellie's vocal range, and they all have a fantastic melody that you will be singing all day long. "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind", "One Of The Guys", "Small Town Girl", and "Girl Like Me" are all fun songs that are great to listen to. "Gotta Keep Moving" is a great song for country radio, and it would make a great single. The best song on the album is "I'm On My Way." All of the songs are amazing, but this one has them all beat." This is probably one of the top ten best debut albums I have ever heard. Anybody who knows music will agree. Kellie Pickler has a future in music.

I really really don't care for country music. So sue me. But this Kellie Pickler is OK.

I have to tell you, I bought this album on an impulse...personality-wise, I enjoyed seeing Miss Pickler on "Idol."

Like I said, the stereotypical country sound...twangy bowed guitar, simple drum beats, accented vocals and recycled subject matters...does nothing for me. But I have to admit I kinda enjoyed this.

I think those who enjoy country will LOVE this.

This is a quality album; the songs are sturdy, the production crisp. I liked the uptempo songs...one song initially sounds like an outtake from Mellencamp's "Lonesome Jubilee", with angular guitars and off-kilter rhythms, before becoming a bit more mainstream.

Her voice is fine...not overpowering but the kind of "everyman's" (or "everywoman's") voice that's very appealing and empathic. There's not a lot of oversinging, warbling, or other distractions.

Two songs in particular I'd like to single out:

"Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind" is a funny, uptempo, sassy number that Shania Twain would have made ten years ago.
And "I Wonder" is a beautifully sung ballad, showing that Miss Pickler may have a seriously successful future if her career is managed well, and she continues to smartly select her songs and collaborators.

Other songs, though, I found cringe-worthy...I'm sure somebody out there loves the song to her grandmother, and the sentiment is certainly sweet, but the song will give you cavities.

"Red High Heels", "Small Town Girl" and "One of the Guys" all work for the genre just fine. For me, I was wanting something a little bit more pop-rock...or perhaps a little bit less country.

Having said all that...let me reiterate...I really liked this record despite NOT really liking country music. So that says a lot. Country music fans may have a new sweetheart here.

I took a chance on this CD. I don't watch American Idol, but "Red High Heels" stuck in my head and wouldn't leave. I saw some really good reviews on Amazon, so I bought it. It's a really, really, good album. Kellie's voice reminds me of Pam Tillis, a favorite of mine. She does a fine job on the ballads, the "attitude" songs, and the fun stuff. I liked every cut. The album is well-produced; the songs are well-written, and Kellie does them all justice. I've sometimes been burned when I've taken a chance on an album, but not this time. "Small Town Girl" is a winner.

I didn't want to like this album, really! I thought Kellie was completely out of her element on Idol, and wondered how she ever got there in the first place. But, after listening to Small Town Girl all the way through twice, I am going to have to admit that I was wrong!

All too often, first albums from Idol alumni are rushed and really don't reflect the individual at all. Small Town Girl is an exception. The songs are reflective of Kellie's life experience, and because she had a hand in writing half of them, she can sing them with conviction. She is singing about her life, and the result is an album that is "real."

I love "Red High Heels," and think it is the perfect choice for her first single. But it lacks the kind of depth that is evident on songs like "I Wonder" and "My Angel," and I hope that one of these two is released as a single in the future. "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind" is another song that has "hit" written all over it.

Country has been kind to reality show alum, and I suspect that they will embrace Kellie wholeheartedly. She's the real deal, and this CD is well worth buying.

"Small Town Girl" lets Kellie Pickler be Kellie Pickler. The result is an album that offers both emotionally ripping ballads and catchy, playful country/rock tunes.

Break out the tissues AND the six-packs for this one.

GIVE THE ALBUM A CHANCE:

"Small Town Girl" may shock the people she failed to win over on "American Idol," or those that look down on the show's alums.

But there's a reward for those that give the album a chance, and likely, a change of heart. I've heard glowing praise from several converts since the CD's release.

MY FAVORITE TRACK: "I WONDER"

I find myself fighting tears every time I hear this ballad about her mother, who walked out on Kellie when the future singer/songwriter was 2 years old. I can't remember when a song affected me so deeply.

KELLIE THE SONG WRITER:

Kellie co-wrote five of the songs while on the American Idol tour. Those tracks -- "Red High Heels," "My Angel," "Small Town Girl," "One of the Guys," and "I Wonder" -- are standouts for me.

But there isn't a bad track here, and all tracks fit her perfectly.

THE VERDICT, A HOME RUN:

Kellie Pickler poured her passion, her personality, her heart and soul into this album. The result is country's best new album.

I'm musically omnivorous so I don't really consider myself strictly a country music fan.

I first heard Kellie Pickler's "I Wonder" single while channel surfing on a road trip a few weeks ago.

I couldn't turn the dial.

This has to be one of the most heart-breaking songs to have ever graced the airwaves - more so as it is autobiographical.

I found myself having to pull over to catch my breath after being riveted by this wonderful artist, I was literally moved to tears.

Excellent effort for her first album!

Get this album and RUN to the checkout line ... ! Count me as a fan.

When watching American Idol last year I honestly couldn't stand Kellie Pickler. She annoyed me with her "stupid" routine and I just didn't think that she sang that well. Well, last week I saw her album at my local library and thought "What the heck? I'm curious". Boy, was I extremely surprised and never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would like this album one bit. But on the contrary, I absolutely love it!! In fact, I simply can't stop listening to it. Kellie Pickler definitely deserves high praise for this fantastic debut and I'm so glad that I had an open-mind for once in my life. Kellie rocks this cd with such hits as "Red High Heels", "I Wonder", & "Small Town Girl".

Awesome job Kellie on a cd worth buying and enjoying - country music fans come on board and enjoy the new sensation of KELLIE PICKLER - y'all will love her!