YOUTH CORRESPONDENT
By now, you've probably heard about Ashlee Simpson's infamous lip-syncing incident on SNL. After asking the question: "Can Ashlee actually sing?" we at it! decided to take a listen to her debut album, "Autobiography."
Ashlee manages to capture the listener with attention-grabbing vocals and a nice rock sound in the first track--aptly named "Autobiography." The song talks about who she is and also serves as the theme song for her reality show, "The Ashlee Simpson Show."
Even if you can't figure out what the term "lala" refers to, "Lala"--Ashlee's latest single--is arguably one of the best tracks on the album. It manages to grab the listener with loud (almost screaming) vocals, a catchy chorus and unique yet slightly raunchy lyrics like: "You can meet me on an airplane/ Or in the back of a bus/ You can throw me like a boomerang/ I'll come back and beat you up."
One of the few low points of "Autobiography" is the track "Love Makes the World Go Round," which would fit in perfectly on one of Hilary Duff's records.
The tune "Love for Me" helps to showcase Ashlee's versatility, with a rock sound and vocals reminiscent of No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani.
"Surrender" can be described as the perfect mix of pop and rock. With an outstanding guitar solo, it seems to be about an ex-boyfriend, one of Ashlee's favorite song topics.
"Hey you, you turned your back on your children/ It's left you in that big burning bed/ This life's like living in the gutter/ All this pain just makes you feel dead." Those are just a few lines from "Giving it All Away," a unique track about making bad decisions and wasting your life away. It shines and is one of the album's best selections.
The album concludes perfectly with "Undiscovered"--a sweet, simple, slow tune about really missing an ex-boyfriend. It is by far the longest track on the album, and a nice wrap-up to Simpson's effort.
So, to the millions who wonder, in the wake of her SNL disaster: Can Ashlee Simpson actually sing? Why yes, and she does a pretty good job of it.
If you're a fan of Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, FeFe Dobson (or any number of other female singer-songwriters for that matter), then you'll definitely enjoy having Ashlee's "Autobiography" in your collection.
NANCY BELLE is a freshman at McDonough High School.