Artist: Ashlee Simpson
Album: Autobiography
Label: Geffen Records
Rating:
Reviewer: Julie Wagoner

The best way to describe the new Ashlee Simpson album is quite simple. Look at the titles of her songs. It's "nothing new." And, I think you'd be "better off" without this one. This may be her "autobiography" but she seems "unreachable" considering the fact that her true sound is left "undiscovered." Sure, she's trying to rock it out to establish a different sound than her sister. But, on several of the songs, there's a battle between the dominant sound. It's pop vs rock. Remember Jessica‘s “Hot Like Fire?” Well, it’s the opposite on this album. Since she has sucha raspy voice, you'd want her to lean toward the rock edge instead of that pop sound that requires decent vocals, which her sister has. Ashlee sounds better screaming and straining her voice so maybe if she would do a screamo album, she'd take off.

There's a lot to complain about with this album but I will admit there are a few select songs that work with her vocals. For instance, "Pieces of Me" and "Shadow" are both songs that I could easily imagine doing fairly well with the mainstream audience. I also enjoyed the naughty song of the album, "La la", which was described by Ashlee as a sarcastic song to be taken as a joke. Just a joke? Too bad. She should've taken some pride off this song. It's compatible with her raspy vocals and wannabe bad girl image.

It's possible that this album isn't fun to listen to because of the song placement. Once you get through the rocking it out songs, you hit "Love Makes the World Go Round." After being totally sexually energized, it drops off to a slower song about not being on the same level with a guy which I'm sure all girls can cherish. Then, you discover two songs, "Better Off" and "Love Me For Me", that are kinda flat in terms of the actual production but the lyrics are quite an accomplishment especially since Ashlee co-wrote the entire album.

And, that’s all the positive I have to say about the album. There’s a couple more songs on the album but they aren’t worth talking about. So did she accomplish distinguishing herself from Jessica? Yes. But, did she really distinguish herself as an individual artist capable of making constant hit albums? Not really. She’s still young. She has to mature a bit more before we can see an album that’s a true autobiography. The acting is over. It’s time for some more self-realization before she hit’s the studio for round two.