Julianne Hough Debut CD Review

(Music review by Paula Felps as posted on Walmart.com)

About The Album

When Julianne Hough joined the cast of the hit show, Dancing With The Stars, it was immediately evident that she has that elusive "it" factor that creates stars. With the grace and smile of a young Ann-Margret, Hough easily danced her way into America's hearts and to back-to-back championships on the popular television show.

Now Hough is proving that her talents don't stop when she steps off the dance floor; on her self-titled debut CD, the 19-year-old shows her ability to work a song like a good dance routine.

The album is age-appropriate; instead of trying to make her sing songs more fitting for someone twice her age, producer David Malloy went the Taylor Swift route and armed Hough with themes and tunes that are second nature to a young adult crowd. That means that, at times, the message may seem a little trite for older adults, but even in those moments, listeners are bound to be won over by Hough's irrepressible charm.

"That Song In My Head," the album's first single, leads off the disc. It's a happy, upbeat song that celebrates one of the most simple sensations in life -- getting a tune stuck in your brain and not being able to shake it loose. In this version of the story, the melody comes with the visual of a young man, which makes for a cute twist. There's not a lot of depth to this cut, but it's not trying to be anything more than what it is -- a happy little tune that is designed to stick with you. It's a terrific showcase for Hough's vocals, which have just enough twang to suit the country format without scaring off non-country members of her fan base.

Hough is at her best when she's cutting loose with fun, upbeat songs. Songs like "Jimmy Ray McGee" and "Help Me, Help You" slow it down and, while she does a good job with the material, she is much better when her personality is allowed to shine. On "My Hallelujah Song," she delivers a rousing cut that celebrates life and surviving the hard times. It's hard not to move along to this one, and Hough's joy and zest for life resonate in every syllable.

She teams up with brother Derek on "Dreaming Under the Same Moon," and it shows that she's not the only singer/dancer in the family. The two would do well pursuing a career as a singing duo if that dancing thing doesn't work out; their voices blend together beautifully. And the vocal pairing is only enhanced by the song's theme of wishing the best for someone you love.

Hough has an absolute ball with the lively "Hello," which sees her imparting wisdom to a friend who hasn't exactly made the best choices with men. The lyrics are as priceless as Carrie Underwood's smash, "Before He Cheats," and Hough injects the perfect tone and attitude into this barnburner. It's one of those tracks that makes you immediately hit "repeat" and brings an even bigger smile the second time.

She proves to be just as good a friend on "Love Yourself," one of those songs where she recognizes the strengths that her friend fails to see in herself. It's a slower, more serious song, giving Hough another chance to show her quieter side. The gentle track segues nicely into "I'd Just Be With You," a romantic and thoughtful cut about getting away from it all with the one you love. It's a nice ballad, and it puts a surprisingly quiet finishing touch on a promising and lively debut.

Thank you for reading the Julianne Hough review. Read more Paula Felps music reviews or click here to go to the home page.