Music Capsule Review

Autobiography (2004)

More

THANKS POP Despite hating the comparison, Ashlee is more similar to her sister than she'd like

Credits

Release Date: Jul 20, 2004; Lead Performance: Ashlee Simpson

Though she's got an MTV reality show of her own, 19-year-old Ashlee Simpson insists she's nothing like her famous sister. But while she now dyes her tresses brown and postures as a rock & roller (her weathered rasp resembles Courtney Love's), she's every bit as pop as Jessica -- even if she savvily cribs from Avril instead of Mariah. Her Autobiography is packed with insidiously catchy songs, especially the first single, ''Pieces of Me,'' in which she sings the praises of canoodling with a friend. But halfway through the album, the recipe gets repeated and you find yourself yawning despite the hooks. If Simpson really wants to be a rock chick, she shouldn't have made such a formulaic debut. That's what pop stars do.

Posted Jul 23, 2004

More

Music News Sick of Ashlee? We've got six great alternatives | Michael Slezak
In the News Ashlee Simpson tops album chart for a third week | Gary Susman
In the News Ashlee Simpson returns to No. 1 | Gary Susman
In the News Ashlee Simpson's ''Autobiography'' debuts at No. 1 | Gary Susman
Music Review Bittersweet World | Leah Greenblatt
Music News EW's holiday CD exchange

Add Your Comments

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. You must have javascript enabled to submit a comment.