The Lobo Threesome

Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough

Available Now

3/5

We all know she can dance, as displayed on the ABC hit show "Dancing with the Stars." But can she sing? This up-and-coming country starlet known for her bubbly personality on television has a leg up on the competition as she debuts her self-titled country album to adoring fans. And her first single, "That Song in My Head," is no exception. The catchy, upbeat song will stick in your head and is the perfect feel-good summer tune for country radio. However, the album isn't without its flaws. Although different from those of country superstars Martina McBride and Reba McEntire, the songs lack a certain depth, which may be explained by Hough's apparent lack of writing ability (she didn't so much as co-write a single track). But the debut album has a few high points: the thought-provoking "Help Me, Help You," about a friend dealing with alcoholism; and "Jimmy Ray McGee," about a high school boy impregnating a girl and running off. "Hello" and "You, You, You" are also sure to do well on country radio. Overall, David Malloy, one of Nashville's top producers, may have struck gold with Hough's popularity, but fame is fleeting if the sophomore effort doesn't include truly inspiring anthems to compete with the likes of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

If you like this music, you might also enjoy:

Carrie Underwood - Carnival Ride

Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift

Clay Aiken - On My Way Here

Jessica Simpson

Come on Over

Available Now

1/5

Is it fish or is it chicken? Or in Simpson's case, is it country or is it pop? Simpson's highly anticipated country debut album due out in September is giving Nashville a collective eye roll, and for good reason. After splitting with hubby Nick Lachey and with the pop star's last flop of an album available in the bargain bin of your favorite record store, it seems like Simpson's genre-crossing attempt is a last-ditch effort by record

moguls to make a buck. But surprisingly, the single "Come on Over" is a flirty, fun song with steel guitars and a Simpson twang. But here's a newsflash: Putting on some fake accent and dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo does not make you country, nor will it ever.

If you like this music, you might also enjoy:

Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics

Britney Spears - Blackout

Danity Kane - Welcome to the Dollhouse

Jewel

Perfectly Clear

Available Now

4/5

Apparently, marrying professional bull rider Ty Murray entitles Jewel to trade her indie roots in for a pair of cowboy boots and a guitar. Regardless, Jewel's first foray into the genre is inspired and meaningful. Amazingly, her debut album is reminiscent of her folksy past that old fans will enjoy, but it also features steel guitars and fiddles that contemporary country fans crave. Questions of genre authenticity notwithstanding, her first single, "Stronger Woman" was welcomed by country radio, and her second single, "I Do," is likely to be received the same. What's most striking is the way that Jewel has attempted to tailor her songwriting to the genre's standards, resulting in some of the cleanest, least precious writing of her career. "Love Is a Garden" still lapses into some of her trademark bad poetry, but "Till It Feels Like Cheating" follows a straightforward narrative, and the standout "Anyone But You" recalls some of country's best songwriting. It's deceptive simplicity that grounds the album in country and makes it arguably the best-written record in Jewel's catalogue. If she works with a producer better than John Rich, half of the tandem Big & Rich, Jewel stands a chance at creating a legitimately excellent country album some day. Until then, semi-country acoustic will have to do.

If you like this music, you might also enjoy:

Sheryl Crow - Detours

Leona Lewis - Spirit

Emmylou Harris - All I Intended to Be