Julie Roberts - Roberts, Julie (CD 2004)

So, I got my Seventeen magazine for May a while ago and in it was a small article on a new artist named Julie Roberts. So, I went online to check out some of her music and was extremely pleased. Julie Roberts might have what it takes to bring country music back to actual country music. Her voice is soothing, emotional and beautiful. It's amazing she sat as her manager's receptionist for so long before he realized her talent. And now, without further adieu, my review of Julie Robert's debut c.d.:

You Ain't Down Home

This song is one of the livelier songs on the album, written by Jamie O Hara; it's one of my favorites. Quirky little lyrics like "You got the cool conversation with your high tech telephone." Julie sings this song so passionately, but at the same time so uncontrived and it fits her so well, her accent her tone - it all fits perfectly with this song. Even the "ain't" in the title doesn't bug me and I'm a grammatical freak. It's that good of a song.


Break Down Here

The debut single off of this album and it's a winner. If you haven't heard this song yet, go to Julie Roberts' website and check it out, because it is just beautiful. It's such a sad song, but Julie's voice is so comforting that you get the feeling that in the end, it's all going to be alright. With lyrics like "Everything I own's in the back in a Hefty bag. I'm outta' cigarettes and I'm down to my last drag," your interest is kept.

Pot of Gold

The music that starts off this song drags you in. It's one of my favorites off the album, because it's so light and pretty. One of the highlights of the album, it makes me smile with lyrics like; "You can chase all the silver, if you need riches to hold. You can run after rainbows, 'cause I just found my pot of gold." Some might say dinky, but I say fun.

Unlove Me

An upbeat slow song, if that's not too oxymoronic for you. This song is pretty, a sad love song of a woman trying to get over a relationship and pleading for her lover to let go. Lyrical highlights: "Unlove me, Untie all the strings between your heart and mine. Unlove me, but do it real slow, so I don't have to lose you all at one time."

Just 'Cause We Can

And upbeat little song about doing things when she's in love, just cause she can. "Honey, for our date tonight, I've got the perfect place to go. I was thinkin' 'bout candlelight seafood dinner, at this little place on the Gulf of Mexico," Julie croons.

Wake Up Older

A gorgeous song. My favorite on the whole album. The way Julie sings this song sounding like she's in a world of pain. With lyrics like, "Slept in my makeup, didn't get my teeth brushed, I crashed on the couch and now my mouth tastes like yesterday's news," you can just picture her going through a rough breakup. A beautiful song about how messed up you are after a devastating breakup. The chorus is gorgeous.

If You Had Called Yesterday

This song is also one of my favorites, because Julie sings it with such passion. This whole song is about how her day and night would have been so much brighter had her lover called, and please - can't we all relate to that?

No Way Out

This is rockin' little song, well, a rockin' little song for Julie Roberts. It's fun, but I get a little annoyed with the repetitive "No way out"'s towards the end. It's a good enough song, though, but not one of my favorites.

I Can't Get Over You

I LOVE this song. I think it's an acquired taste, because it has no "hook" or sing-along chorus, but it's beautifully sang and the music is gorgeous. I can so relate to lyrics like, "I keep movin' on, runnin' hard and fast, but everywhere that I run to, I'm just standin' still, livin' in the past. 'Cause I can't get over you." One of my faves.

Rain on a Tin Roof

Another favorite of mine, the lyrics are just beautiful - "His eyes are blue just like the ocean, his heart is a river free and now and then he gets the notion and he finds his way to me." And it's so weird, but when I listen to this song, I honestly can imagine it raining. Kinda' strange, I know. But I guess it's just the song.

The Chance

Beautiful piano work in the beginning, gives off a sad kind of jazzy feel. "I found a book that my mama kept, filled with secrets she hid. And in a dusty old attic, one mornin' I read about a woman I never met who had dreams just like mine," Julie sings about finding out her mom was young and idealistic just like her.


Track Listing:

You Ain t Down Home- 9/10
Break Down Here- 10/10
Pot of Gold- 10/10
Unlove Me- 9/10
Just Cause We Can- 8/10
Wake Up Older- 10/10
If You Had Called Yesterday- 10/10
No Way Out- 7/10
I Can t Get Over You- 10/10
Rain on a Tin Roof- 9/10
The Chance- 9/10

Overall-
101/110 for a 92%.