Kellie Pickler's bland Small Town Girl conjures no superlatives. In fact, it's awfully hard to take the project seriously because of the (presumably) crass commercial motives behind it: Blond, twangy American Idol winner Carrie Underwood sold 4 million albums, so blond, twangy Idol contestant Pickler should do the same. But while Underwood's voice is rich, round, and passionate, Pickler's is a wisp. The songs do nothing to advance her image: The single ''Red High Heels'' (''I'm about to show you just how missin' me feels in my red high heels'') is meant to evoke Shania Twain. It barely summons Carrie Bradshaw. She even references her Idol calamari flub. Pickler's not without talent she proved herself such a lively and even astute presence on The View this summer. Which, come to think of it, does conjure a superlative: She'd be the best singer on that show.
(Pickler's CD is part of a wave of Idol-related releases. See also EW's reviews of the new albums from Taylor Hicks, Fantasia, and Daughtry.)
OscarWatch TV: 'Avatar' as underdog?
Dave Karger and Missy Schwartz on the rise of ''Hurt Locker,'' Sandra leapfrogging Meryl for Best Actress
More
Totally 'Lost'!
Get up to speed for the final season:
New theories and news from Doc Jensen, exclusive video, photos, trivia, and more
More
Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.