One of the reasons I discovered Maggie Rose is because she grew up not far from where I grew up. I was curious about artists from my area, and I found her through her single "Better." Despite the fact that "I Ain't Your Mama," the lead single from this record charted better than this song, I heard "Better on the radio more. "Better" is an incredible tale of a broken-hearted woman trying not to turn to drink to solve her problems. It's a ballad with decisively country lyrics, and shows off her vocals incredibly. This track is what drove me to listen to her full-length debut album.
Rose is a special talent. She sings true country music with a slight country accent, but can still sing pop music as she did for the Disney Channel show Shake It Up as Margaret Durante. Her vocals are powerful and carry a resemblance to those of Carrie Underwood, and the first song on her debut shows that off. "Preachers Daughter" is one of two dark songs about death on this record, similar to the aforementioned Underwood single "Two Black Cadillacs." "Daughter" has powerful vocals and very interesting and unique production. The guitar at the beginning makes the track, as well as the oh oh ohs at the beginning and end. "Looking Back Now" is the other death song, or more appropriately a murder song. This was Rose's third single on country radio and I expected it to do better than it did. The production contradicts the lyrics of a girl regretting the fact that she killed her man. It has a radio friendly vibe and a definite pop influence in the song along with the usual country song equation. It is baffling that it didn't chart well.
On a lighter note, the album has some airy country pop tunes as well. "Hollywood" and "I Ain't Your Mama" bring some laughter into this album, which a debut needs to show how much an artist can do. According to Rose, "Hollywood, not far from Dolly-wood" is a dysfunctional town. A fiddle is proudly displayed in the song, along with a more talky, different vocal sound from Rose. And the washboard zipper-like sound in the chorus can never be unheard once you hear it once. Rose's debut single, "I Ain't Your Mama" is a cocky song, and introduced Rose to her audiences in a favorable way by showing her at her most confident. "Mama" is the ultimate girl power and it's not hard to see it playing at a club in Nashville. It's a risky decision to start off a career with a very emotional song, and in Rose's situation, going with a peppy song worked in her favor.
A highlight is "Fall Madly in Love With You." It is a short song, only clocking out at 2:33, but is a cute song describing a different kind of one night stand. This song determines that this album is a breakup record. But unlike some breakup records, Rose throws in some songs about getting back into the dating world, like this one, and also has the classic revenge and sorrow ballads. Breakup records can sometimes have too many ballads, but some of the sadder songs on this record have lighter production, eliminating the fear of that.
Rose has a promising future in country music based on this debut. There is not one song on this album that doesn't belong and doesn't meet the standard of the album as a whole. Country music always needs more girls, so Rose is ready to fill those shoes, or in her case, a pair of killer stilettos.
Best tracks: Fall Madly in Love With You, Hollywood, Looking Back Now, Better
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
A highlight is "Fall Madly in Love With You." It is a short song, only clocking out at 2:33, but is a cute song describing a different kind of one night stand. This song determines that this album is a breakup record. But unlike some breakup records, Rose throws in some songs about getting back into the dating world, like this one, and also has the classic revenge and sorrow ballads. Breakup records can sometimes have too many ballads, but some of the sadder songs on this record have lighter production, eliminating the fear of that.
Rose has a promising future in country music based on this debut. There is not one song on this album that doesn't belong and doesn't meet the standard of the album as a whole. Country music always needs more girls, so Rose is ready to fill those shoes, or in her case, a pair of killer stilettos.
Best tracks: Fall Madly in Love With You, Hollywood, Looking Back Now, Better
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
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