Pickler Proves Pure Potential

By Tammy Van, staff writer
Monday, November 6, 2006

With the release of her debut album, Kellie Pickler brought sass back into country music. Followers of the American Idol series will be delighted to hear that Pickler remained to be the same “small town girl” she had always been throughout the season.

Small Town Girl shines with rays of traditional country from the reminiscences of simple life and Pickler's southern twang. Like many country giants, she uses her life as her musical backbone, accentuating it with her powerful vocals. Her single, “Red High Heels,” allows her personality to break through with its upbeat and catchy tempo. Tracks like “I Wonder” and “Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You” also break your heart with how closely they hit to home.

Her attempts to portray the empowered, southern woman fall short as she conjures a country bumpkin with some lackluster lyrics. “ Small Town Girl” and “One of the Guys” have redundant lyrics about blue jeans, baseball caps, and pick up trucks. Her mention of Brad and Jennifer showcases her playful humor, but causes her songs to come off as superficial and lacking depth. Rather than celebrating the strength of the South, she merely emphasizes the naïveté.

Nonetheless, Pickler proves to be one of the more successful Idol contestants and makes a statement that you do not need to win the competition for a hit album. The debut of her single had already placed her in Billboard's category of Hot Country Songs.

If you are out for a night on the town, you will find that her melodies are real toe-tappers and that her energy is infectious. Although there were a few shortcomings, her album shows great music potential. Be sure to pick Pickler for some lighthearted country spunk.