Reviews

Give {$Ashlee Simpson} some credit -- she (or her management) knew that the only way to break out of the shadow of her older sister, {$Jessica}, was to be her opposite. So, she dyed her blonde hair jet-black, based her music in {\rock}, not {\dance-pop}, and co-wrote every song on her 2004 debut, {^Autobiography} ({$Jessica} only co-wrote one on her debut, {^Sweet Kisses}). It could be argued that this makeover for the star of the square {@WB} TV series {#7th Heaven} is a bit too calculated, but regardless of the intent, the end result still works far better than that of her big sister's albums. Where {$Jessica} sounds like a throwback to the late '60s/early '70s, specifically to the variety shows of {$Andy Williams} and {$Sonny & Cher}, {$Ashlee} is modern, using the glossy, punky {\pop} of {$Pink} and {$Avril Lavigne} as the touchstone for her debut. It's heavy on guitars and light on dance beats, although those are bubbling under the layers and layers of six-strings, and {$Ashlee} has adopted a growl that may come out closer to a mousey squeak, but the attitude is appreciated all the same. And that pretty much sums up {^Autobiography} -- it's not perfect, and it's often affected, but it winds up being endearing because of her earnestness. Not only is she trying hard -- and, in the case of {&"Lala,"} trying way too hard to be sexy -- but she's succeeding in creating an album that feels like a {\bubblegum} version of {$Pink}'s {^M!ssundaztood}, even if it's not quite as catchy. While the album could have used a few more songs with indelible hooks, it nevertheless is an enjoyably slick, widescreen production that's a whole lot more fun than anything her sister has recorded (with the notable exception of {&"I Think I'm in Love With You"}), plus it's varied enough to suggest that {$Ashlee} could make a more interesting record the next time out. All in all, it's an unexpectedly strong debut from an artist who seemed destined to be a footnote to her famous older sister, but just may wind up with a more interesting career. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide