CD Review
Artist: Julianne Hough
Album: Julianne Hough
Label: Mercury Nashville Records
Release Date: May 20^th, 2008

Reviewed by: Alexander Hutt (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

You may have seen Julianne Hough's smiling face before. If you been an avid Dancing With The Stars fan you may recognize her from the first, second and sixth seasons, and as the partner of Apolo Anton Ohno, Helio Castroneves and Adam Carolla.  However, you may not recognize the fact that she is a new addition to the country music industry. After her appearances on Dancing with The Stars, Hough was signed to a record deal with Mercury Nashville Records, and soon her self-titled release was created. It's already attained the status of #1 on the country music album list, due in large fact to her single "That Song In My Head."  

Consequently, "That Song In My Head" is the premier track on the CD, which plays out a "new" country feel, utilizing the combination of country swing with a slight dose of pop rock infusion that runs through the remainder of the disc. This does not detract from the album however. The well-paced and even toned songs invite sing-along and have a nice dance beat. For instance, the track "Hello" is busy and keeps a steady fast beat, and listening to the nasal twang in Hough's voice makes you want to break out into a two-step. The album is balanced with some tunes of the slower variety as well, like "Help Me, Help You", where Hough tones down her vocals to tell the sad story of a chronic alcoholic. "Hide Your Matches" is sung in a similar vein, Hough's voice resonating as a plaintive whine. The slow songs of the album pull at your heartstrings, and the upbeat songs put a smile on your face.

Julianne Hough's natural voice is evidence of why she was picked up by Mercury Nashville Records. It is a perfect country music voice, complete with a Southern intonation and a note of laughter in the vocals. The plethora of band members behind her is exceptional, giving the music it's spunky tone. What could be seen as downfalls of the album are the excessive use of background vocals from Mickey Jack Cones, Tatiana Hanchero, Jimmy Nichols and Karen Rochelle. It makes one wonder why Hough requires four back up vocalists, and feeds into the critique that her image as the classic country blonde is the driving power behind her success. The fact that she does not write any of her own songs, with approximately twenty different songwriters for the CD, further adds to this critique.

However, the music in the album is what really matters to the listener. The songs are catchy but not intrusive, play on all your emotions and carry that new country formula of feel-good music. So sit back and enjoy the music, rather than debasing it for cultural stereotypes. The album was released in stores on May 20, 2008, and is available now.  

1.         That Song In My Head - 3:13
2.         You, You, You - 3:45
3.         Hide Your Matches - 3:40
4.         My Hallelujah Song        -3:30
5.         Jimmy Ray McGee - 3:31
6.         Dreaming Under The Same Moon (featuring Derek Hough) - 3:58  
7.         About Life - 3:17
8.         Hello - 3:10
9.         Help Me, Help You - 4:01
10.        Love Yourself  - 3:02
11.        I'd Just Be With You - 3:31