Even if you are not a fan of country music, chances are you remember Deana Carter from when she took the music world by storm with her smash hit "Strawberry Wine" in 1996. The song climbed all the way to number one on the charts and even won CMA's Single of the Year in 1997. What's more, Carter's album "Did I Shave My Legs For This?," from which the hit single was released, went platinum in three months, boasted three Billboard Hot Country number one singles and spent two years in the top 40 of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
This debut album also has been certified five times platinum, with over 5 million records sold. And that's not all: to add to all these accomplishments, Carter also received a pair of Grammy nominations and a record-tying six CMA nominations for "Did I Shave My Legs For This?" including a nomination in the category of Best Female Vocalist. There also was a nomination for Best Country Album at the Nashville Music Awards, and four TNN/Music City News Award nominations, including one for Female Star of Tomorrow. What's more, in recognition of her music's "raw honesty," Newsweek included Carter in its list of "100 Americans for the Next Century."
One would think that with such monumental achievements from a debut album, Carter would have cemented her stake as a successful singer in Nashville. Carter's second album, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright," however, was only mildly successful compared to her first, selling a paltry 400,000 copies. Then it seemed as if Carter literally dropped off the face of the earth.Now, almost five years later, Carter is back with her new album, "I'm Just a Girl."
The album is a lot of firsts for Carter.For one, it is her first release with her new record label, Arista Records Nashville. The album also features 12 songs, which, for the first time, were all written or co-written by Carter herself. Also, Carter co-produced her CD with one of Nashville's current top producers, Dann Huff. Huff has produced a majority of the big acts in country music and even produced a Megadeth record.
Before even listening to the album, one can be assured that Carter has stayed true to her unique and creative style just by looking at the cover. Here Carter makes her album look as if it is a cover of Seventeen magazine -- cleverly incorporating one of her cuts, fittingly titled "Cover of a Magazine."
The album begins with the title song "I'm Just a Girl." The up-tempo track is a wordy song about the American girl Carter sees herself to be. Although it's fun and up-tempo, you cannot help but feel as if you are listening to a Chevy commercial and can actually picture a big truck lumbering over rocky terrain as Carter croons, "I'm a Chevy girl."
Next in line is the album's first and current single, "There's No Limit." The lyrics are predictable but respectable as Carter sings of the depths she would go to prove her love. If you enjoy the style and sound of Sheryl Crow, chances are you will enjoy this track as well.
Carter once again joins forces with Martraca Berg, who co-wrote "Strawberry Wine" with Gary Harrison, in "You and Tequila." The song gracefully combines a luxurious feel with the classic country sentiment of comparing an addiction to love to that of tequila.
Carter's honest writing keeps the album from becoming overly saccharine. This is most clearly seen in "Cover of a Magazine," where Carter wittingly proves that she is more than just a girl. "Cover Of A Magazine" -- reflected wittily in the sleeve design -- is an attack on tabloid culture from someone who understands how it feels to be the target of gossip columnists. This is sure to be a hit, as almost any woman today can relate to Carter's sentiment "How come it's such a big deal? It's about how you look and not how you feel..."
If you are anything like me, when you really need to reflect driving down a winding road with the windows rolled down and the radio turned up is often the best medicine. Sound familiar? I though so. For this reason alone, "Me and the Radio" is song you'll want to hear -- and have with you the next time the need to hit the road takes hold.
In the classic lovelorn ballad "Waiting" Carter teams up with country superstar Dwight Yoakam. Not only is the song a wonderful collaboration of the two's unique voices, but it is also a collaboration of their creative talents, as the two co-wrote it together. If released to radio, the song is sure to be a huge hit. It is a song that's guaranteed to melt the hearts of anyone who ever has found himself waiting for love (and who hasn't?). The accompanying music also is great, with a cool and refreshing effervescence.
For all of us ladies out there who have been wronged by the opposite sex -- which is pretty much all of us -- Carter is there for us again just as she was years ago with her sarcastic "Did I Shave my Legs for This?" The end of the album follows this pattern by uncovering the truth in "Liar," providing strength in "Goodbye Train," and lending a heavy dose of girl-power "Girls' Night." Even though this last dose tries a little too hard to be pop with it's thrashing guitars and choppy beat.
Overall, Carter successfully has proven herself yet again as a talented and unique artist who is not afraid to be herself. Whether or not you are a fan of Carter or country music, there is still something for everyone on this album. And for those of you who are fans, you will find that the release of this album was worth the years of wait.
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