Album Review: The Blade by Ashley Monroe

I really liked Ashley Monroe's last album Like a Rose, and in many ways it had a charm that this album is missing, but ultimately this is a stronger album. Monroe has writing credits on twelve of the thirteen songs and they are a strong batch of songs.

Musically the album is a bit more experimental than Like a Rose. She ranges from country pop, to adult contemporary, to country rock, to more traditional country. It's a good mix and she proves that she can pull off every one of those sounds. Personally I think she's strongest as an adult contemporary singer, and if I had one wish for her it would be to put together an album that is very theme and sound focused. Her writing has a fairly consistent voice and so I think it is something she could write. She can definitely sing in whatever style she chooses. For me I would like to see her create an album that could stand next to K.D. Lang's Ingenue.

Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 3 out of 5 stars for Pretty Good.