Single White Female - Wright, Chely (CD 1999)

This Single White Female has come out of nowhere to take the Country world by storm. While she's no Faith Hill or Shania Twain, yet, she's got the ability, personality, looks, and desire to be like them: Country Diva's. Her latest album, Single White Female is her best album to date, not just by my opinion, but by the sales of her record, which is doing better than all previous albums. I'll say up front that I've yet to hear any of the other records she's released, but I've heard a few songs, and they've all been good.

The CD
There are five songs that really caught my attention here: Single White Female, She Went Out For Cigarettes, It Was, The Fire, and Unknown. All are single potential (the first three already have). Each song has a little bit in common with the next. "Single White Female" is obviously about the want to be loved, and the things we're willing to go through to find it. SWOFC tells us the sad story of how many relationships end up these days..."She went out for cigarettes, and just kept drivin' on. He doesn't even know it yet, but she's gone. As far away as she can get, past the point of no regret." "It Was" says outloud what we all feel inside when we fall or have fallen in love with someone, and The Fire takes it a step further by telling a long lost love that they'll never find "The Fire" in anyone else but her. Unknown finishes this list by showing her fear for getting lost in the shuffle, which is the fear of many. I fear it here, writing these opinions, that I'll simply be an unknown writer. That couldn't possibly happen, though. Could it?

The Good and Bad

The songs I mentioned above are the good, and I wouldn't call the other songs on the album bad, but they're..how can say...just not as good. Having five songs on an album be single potential is darn good, however, for you usually don't find half that on most records. She could have a few more upbeat songs like "The Fire" and "SWF", possibly something she'll do on her next album. The love ballad's, however, do get you all emotional at times, especially if you play "It Was" for someone you loved.

Overall Opinion
If you like the country diva sound from women like Shania and Faith, but also like the more country sounds of Reba and Martina McBride, you'll like Chely Wright. She's got it all wrapped up into one great album that belongs on your cd shelf. At least sample it on Napster before buying it, so you'll know beforehand.