Jessica Simpson Makes Her Country Debut: Do You Know

For those of you who have been eagerly awaiting the official release of Jessica Simpson’s debut country album Do You Know (I can’t understand why, it was leaked in August), today is the day.

This return to her roots has been a long time coming for the pop-princess, turned reality television star, turned country singer. After bumbling during a Dolly Pardon tribute two years ago, Simpson considered throwing in the towel on her music career. In an interview with E! Simpson talks about the pressure of having to please both fans and critics, working with Dolly Pardon and feeling like she’s on the comeback track.

During the Kennedy Center Honors tribute to Dolly Parton, you messed up singing “9 to 5,” but now Dolly not only wrote the title track of your album, she sings on it, too. Did you ever think you’d go from the Kennedy Center drama to being friends with Dolly?
You know, what happened at Kennedy Center, I really thought I was done singin’. I was just at a place where I’d lost a lot of confidence and I didn’t even know who I was. But Dolly totally took me under her wing and helped me up and over the cares of the world.

It went from the Kennedy Center to her being a part of this record and getting letters from her of encouragement. She told me she’s never been more proud of anything in her whole life. And I have it written down in her handwriting! I do owe a lot of my confidence to her.

During your recent concerts, you’ve been thanking your fans for giving you a second chance. Did you ever think your real fans left you?
Um, no, but sometimes I feel like I close myself off so much to the fans. But at my shows, it’s not just fans. It’s people that are skeptics, critics. It’s, you know, all different kinds of people interested to see what I would actually be doing on stage, and if I could carry my own, and if I could stand up there as a woman with something to say. Be up there with a sense of purpose, you know. So I think more than anything, when I say, “Thank you for giving me a second chance,” I feel like I’m having a comeback. I’m on solid ground again. They can look to me for inspiration. I wanna be a role model. [source]

Perhaps it’s because I have no real appreciation for country music, but I don’t think Jessica is playing to her pop-balladeering strengths. All of the highs combined with her natural twang make her sound like a chipmunk soaked in violins and myriad other tracks. The music seems to be more personal, but it’s not the best exhibition of her abilities.

On KROQ’s Kevin and Bean morning radio show, the guys lambasted Jessica for lacking vocal talent and practically called country music a genre for talentless hacks. I wouldn’t go that far, but Do You Know certainly is not the best choice for comeback, especially with critics questioning Simpson’s vocal talent.

Maybe Jessica Simpson’s die hard fans will feel differently.

You can give the full album a listen here and let me know what you think.