Monday, January 30, 2012

100 Proof of Kellie

From the moment your ears take in those first couple chords, you think Country. It’s with the opening line; I stay torn between lovin’ him and killin’ him, that you know you’re about to hear some real genuine Country music. Kellie Pickler has finally released her third studio album ‘100 Proof’. A long awaited release for fans, but definitely worth the wait of the roughly three years it has been. Fans can happily say goodbye to the polished Country-Pop sounds that were displayed on Pickler’s previous self-titled release and hello to these more traditional Country sounds with a fresh spin. The ears are pleasantly exposed to more steel guitar, banjo and even fiddle among other instruments that can be heard throughout the album. It is eleven tracks of real Country music. Starting with the first two tracks ‘Where’s Tammy Wynette’ and ‘Unlock That Honky Tonk’ which most certainly make for the perfect opening as both are fun, yet effectively genuine to the singer’s roots and genre.

This is without a doubt the most personal work yet done by the 25-year old singer and songwriter. Kellie co-wrote six of the tracks on ‘100 Proof’ including the heart string tugging songs about her parents. Though Pickler has stated she didn’t write the song ‘Mother’s Day’ to be heard by her mother, who abandoned her when she was young. It was a song she wrote for herself to be able to heal and move on. It is definitely one of the most emotional ballads this album has to offer with lines like, I pray that there’s a way, that life could skip a day to Monday. As well as the line, Maybe one day God’ll bless me with a daughter of my own. We’ll have a love I’ve never known. The song for her father, ‘The Letter (To Daddy)’ will strum those heart strings all the more as you hear a clear thankfulness in her vocals that her father has found sobriety. The track’s opening line, The bottle took you from me when I was a child, will likely have you already feeling a bit choked up as the singer continues to croon out a this beautiful and very personal letter to her father.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

I Pick Pickler


If you follow me on twitter, then you’ve likely noticed my sudden increase of tweets surrounding Kellie Pickler. The honky tonk angel that has won over my heart in country music! Her signature song ‘Red High Heels’ hit radio airwaves back in September of 2006, and from the first time my ears were graced in hearing the sassy track off her debut album ‘Small Town Girl’, I have been in complete adoration over this woman’s music. It was seeing and reading her in various interviews over the years that made me fall into more admiration for her as well. Her self-titled sophomore release back in 2008 only further had won me over, even though the album did feel more country-pop then straight out country. Regardless of that little factor, it was another hit in my heart! I feel that I must throw in there now, that this new album on the horizon definitely seems to prove to have a strong good country feel all around it. Already from the tracks that have been shared off ‘100 Proof’, it’s very clear that Kellie has gone back to her pure country roots.

Now I have touched lightly before here on my blog the fact I, like so many around the world, have dealt with my fair share of depression issues. One of the many reasons why I love Kellie Pickler’s music as much as I do is because it doesn’t matter how dark my mood becomes. Once that music is playing and I find myself singing along, it’s like my mood instantly lifts into much brighter spirits and I find myself back to focusing on being the more positive self I want to be. Granted, I don’t have to be in a dark mood to listen to her music. Especially as of lately with all the excitement for her upcoming release ‘100 Proof’! It’s been a daily dose of listening to the country crooner. And as of the past few days, multiple visits to her Facebook page to get a listen to a new track a day in a wonderfully teasing promotion for the new album that is set to be released January 24th. Oh yes, you don’t even have to ask I have indeed already pre-ordered myself a copy and expect it to be in my mailbox on the big day!