Music Review: Autobiography
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What Parents Should Know
AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Ashlee Simpson's aptly named debut CD, is the
most self-referential album to come along in years. For the
most part, the lyrics are pretty tame, with the exception of an
occasional "sh*t" or "a*s." "La La," the sexiest song on the
album, is filled with lusty kink-lite innuendo that will zoom
right over the heads of younger kids. Older teens, especially
those engaged in their own odysseys of self-absorption, will
find a lot to relate to, and the music is well-played rock
& roll. So kick off your shoes, pump up the volume, and
have fun listening to this CD. Then go out and do something
nice for someone else.
Families can talk about whether or not Ashlee would have an
album if it wasn't for her famous sister.
On AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Ashlee Simpson is portrayed as an edgy romantic whose primary object of affection seems to be herself. Though it's hard to imagine how any one person could be THAT interesting, a lot of the album works. Sweetly breathy vocals are mixed high above well-performed instrumental tracks on this impeccably produced CD.
Unlike big sister Jessica, Ashlee can actually sing, and her vocal strengths are showcased on her original tunes. She also has a better than average band backing her up. But the real stars of AUTOBIOGRAPHY are producer John Shanks and recording engineer Jeff Rothschild, who mixed the album. The sound is big yet carefully controlled from beginning to end; Ashlee's lyrics of self-love come across loud and clear in the mix, without ever taking over.
For the most part, those lyrics are pretty tame, with the exception of an occasional "sh*t" or "a*s." "La La," the sexiest song on the album, is filled with lusty kink-lite innuendo that will zoom right over the heads of younger kids. Older teens, especially those engaged in their own odysseys of self-absorption, will find a lot to relate to, and the music is well-played rock & roll. So kick off your shoes, pump up the volume, and have fun listening to this CD. Then go out and do something nice for someone else.
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