Disco de Gretchen Wilson: “One of the Boys [Circuit City Exclusive]”

This third CD may be Ms. Wilson's best project as a package. The songs are lyrically superior to some earlier work and delve deeper into heart and soul. While some men might find it difficult to identify with some of the tracks, there are others which men should appreciate. There is humor in "There Goes The Neighborhood" and "If You Want a Mother." There is the deepest of soul-searching in "Heaven Help Me" and "To Tell You The Truth." Each track has the ability to reach to the day-to-day aspects of life. Yet, while acknowledging the difficulties in the world of most people, these songs somehow leave one feeling that life can be good and whatever is bad isn't the end of the world. The sound on the album is crisp and clear. The instruments on this album are so skillfully utilized that you feel you've heard masterful playing and great vocal support. A great work from all those involved!

I really enjoyed this cd by Gretchen Wilson. One song in particular stands out and that is 'COME TO BED" (featuring John Rich), it speaks of never going to bed angry with each other. This cd is varied in subjects and straight to the point as only Gretchen can be. Can be enjoyed by one and all no matter what kind of music you like.

Prime Cuts: Good Ole Boy, Heaven Help Me, If You Want a Mother

When Gretchen Wilson asserts on her mega hit "Redneck Woman" that she would bypass a pricey Victoria Secret's product in favor of a half-priced Walmart look-a-like, she has given affirmation that worth is not found in our outward appearance. Rather it is being who we are. Her gallant ability to bring perspicuity to life's values in a way that engages the average Joe and Jane, has made Wilson one of the best selling female artists post-Shania Twain. And for album number three, this redneck woman has taken her self-professing homily to heart as "One of the Boys" is bankrupt of any pretension. Instead, Wilson airs her frustrations, joys and admonitions about life, love and relationships with diary-like frankness augmented with an occasional swirl of wit. Though less bottom-kicking and hard-edged as her former 2 discs, Wilson does explores her softer side via the presence of more introspective ballads. However, with the coalescence of the ever provocative Muzikmafia's John Rich still on the co-producer's chair and Wilson's incendiary 3-D personality, this CD is anything but boring.

Her more malleable trait is given exposition on the uptempo "The Girl I Am." No longer "the eight ball shooting double fisted woman," "The Girl I Am" finds Wilson giving privy to her inner fears and hurts. Similarly, on the title cut, she confesses her need to be "somebody's baby" despite her uncouth often tuff-chic image. On the hymn-like ballad "Heaven Help Me," Wilson looks for redemption for all her wrongs in what is perhaps her most heartfelt performance to date. While lead single "Come to Bed," a duet with John Rich, is a big Tim McGraw/Faith Hill typed ballad about finding an alternative to domestic disharmony. However, truth be told, "Bed" is a little too pedantic for a lead single, that's why it's of no surprise to find "Bed" prematurely sizzled at the paltry 36th position on the Billboard chart. Delving into the more stone-country mores, "Painkiller" is injected with a melancholic dose of Tammy-Wynette lament that ought to warrant yahoos from her more traditional-leaning fans.

The party crowd would be sated with "If You Want a Mother." In sync with her outspoken character, "If You Want a Mother" is a strident dress-down with Wilson demanding her no-good paramour to have his "butt back by nine" or be "grounded for the weekend." Despite her malevolence towards the male species, Wilson confesses that she still gets wobbly over an outdoors blue-collared man in the catchy "Good Ole Boy." However, despite the presence of songwriters of note including John Rich of Big and Rich, Rivers Rutherford, George Teren and Vicky McGehee, there's nothing here that stands out as a surefire hit, the way "Redneck Woman" did.

Nevertheless, on the whole, "One of the Boys" is brought to life by Wilson's larger than life's personality. Her unabashed and (at times) brutal honesty in dealing with the warts of relationships set her apart from country music's faux Barbie dolls who only sing about roses and valentines. Even when she goes for the heart to expound on issues of intimacy, she incarnates a realism that is too compelling to ignore.

Gretch continues to please. My feet will not be still (nor my heart, for that matter). I didn't know you were counting!!!

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Track Listings:

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1. The Girl I Am 3:31

2. Come To Bed (Featuring John Rich) 3:54

3. One Of The Boys 3:38

4. You Don't Have To Go Home 3:17

5. Heaven Help Me 3:26

6. There's A Place In The Whiskey 3:02

7. If You Want A Mother 3:33

8. Pain Killer 3:43

9. There Goes The Neighborhood 2:57

10. Good Ole Boy 2:52

11. To Tell You The Truth 3:33

12. *Bonus Track* Wasting Whiskey