Search - Jessie James :: Jessie James

Stunning first effort--answering the critics.

Alex in Texas | Houston, Texas | 08/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An extraordinary premiere effort by a musical talent who could make it as either a songwriter, or a singer...but gives us the gift, in her eponymous debut, of both. Jessie James possesses remarkable emotional insight for someone so young, a deft manner with both lyrics and melody, and a deliciously rich voice to communicate it all. And, as a couple of the women in my life have observed (when chuckling at me for being enthralled with her music), she's pretty freakin' hot. Obviously, her beauty has nothing whatsoever to do with her music...but it doesn't hurt a thing.



Other reviewers criticize the album as not having a defined "theme." I disagree. The theme, with a couple of alternately playful and earnest self-conscious exceptions (Blue Jeans, and Girl Next Door respectively), represents the range of the young romantic experience. It covers the evolution of the relationship from beginning to end, with some arguably seamy, but emotionally resonant, sidetrips. We start with two fun but self-assertive anthems to what the modern woman seeks--what we would all hope our sisters and daughters find--in My Cowboy and Big Mouth. She gives us two portraits of the burning compulsion of newfound desire, whether lustier in nature (Wanted), or somewhat more idealized (Inevitable, which is also one of the "sidetrip" songs). It proceeds through a thoughtful retrospective on something that was either a pre-empted romance, or might have started, but been ended before it got too serious (Burnin' Bridges). Illicit romance, as pining true love (Inevitable) or something less noble (Guilty). We see permutations of the end of love, both as the one ending things (Burn It Up), and as the one surviving, and flourishing, despite heartbreak (I Look So Good Without You). On the fringes, she shows us the girl who's commitment-phobic (but eventually "broken") in Bullet...another brilliantly fun, energetic pop treat, apparently co-penned with Katy Perry, and slated, at one point, to be her second single. It reverberates with the same pointed post-feminist sensibility as My Cowboy and Big Mouth, but shows glimpses of the reluctant emotional vulnerability of the girl wanting true love. On the other side of that spectrum, there's the girl who's anything but phobic (about commitment): the Psycho Girlfriend. Again, a fun song, without being shallow. We've all known such girls, and would have done better to avoid them...but, as she explains, might have missed out on the best we've ever had.



With the exceptions of a couple of songs, both of them engagingly listenable, they're all of a piece. While I might have ordered them differently, if I wanted to emphasize the evolution of love, I don't see anything out of place. Perfectly in keeping with the theme, and a shame in having been omitted, is her "Liar," another frustrated-love song. Like most of her work, it's melodic, well-written, and emotionally nuanced. (I believe it's available on her myspace page.)



As to those who talk about the album being unmemorable, I submit that the songs are as well-written as Taylor Swift's, cover a much broader emotional spectrum (I like Taylor Swift as a songwriter, but she limits herself to a pretty narrow niche), and much better sung. Billboard refers to Jessie as a hybrid of Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Christina Aguilera. They're right. She has a remarkable voice, although she's sometimes a little heavy-handed on the "country" style in the more pop songs. (Doesn't bother me a bit, but I can see how some would prefer that it be toned down.) That's the price of doing an album with such a broad spectrum of influences, with country, pop, blues, southern rock...overall, a delicious mix.



Look for another couple omissions on the next album, I hope: School Girl, and Turn His Love on Me...or something like that. They both showcase her vocal power, and display more of the varied influences informing her style. And they, too, are love songs.



Order it. Enjoy it. Don't feel guilty about it...or do! Revel guiltily in it, as your Rachmaninoff or Mozart languishes unplayed for days at a time. Beware, though...it grows on you."

Surprise....

Cory M. Maxwell | Kansas City, MO | 08/13/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wow...what can I say?..I'm a dance and techno freak so the twang wasn't exactly what i was listening for, but it's not that bad. Sure a little slide guitar and blues guitar was a given, but I do like the album. It's words are funny and the tunes are catchy. I first heard of her music with the song "dangerous" and turned some of the dance crowd on to it..and they liked it!...so yeah its definitely worth the $1.99. Although my hardcore dance friends blow if off as pop, It'll be my secret guilty pleasure."

My new album

C. Fierros | San Jose, CA 95123 | 11/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most of these songs are fun and upbeat. "Psycho Girlfriend" is outrageously funny.I would describe her as having Jessica Simpsons cheeziness with Christina Aguilara's voice.

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