Ashley Monroe - Like A Rose

My first introduction to Ashely Monroe was on the song "Bruises" from Train's latest record and it is easily one of the best tracks on the record. I then heard the first single from Like A Rose which features the excellent Blake Shelton "You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter)" which blew me away instantly. I couldn't wait to hear more of this wonderful country voice and if that song was any indication of what was to come I knew it was going to be great.

The album is not only great it is a cut above everything else that is currently on the country charts. Monroe has gave me hope that country music isn't quite dead yet. She has a twang that would give Dwight Yoakam a run for his money. The opening song is "Like A Rose" that is basically her story of growing up and getting to where she is today. The song is astoundingly well written and has everything a fan of real country music would ever want. Not only does she tell a story like the best of them from the past she delivers a sweet sadness that just grabs your heart strings and politely dances you around the glorious melody.

The album has some great tongue in cheek material like "Two Weeks Late" another slice of perfection in the songwriting department. As you progress through Like A Rose you get rewarded track after track for spending time listening to Ashley Monroe. Her haunting vocal on "The Morning After" may remind you of Lee Ann Womack and Tammy Wynette but she has her own special sound that even though you are reminded of the past she is herself.

I just love it when she kicks it up on the very Carter family sounding "Monroe Suede" a splendid two step dance floor filler. I can't say if she is going to take over the world with this album because the current young country fan isn't quite educated enough in the past and might not get what wonderful noise this is. Just one listen to "She's Driving Me Out Of Your Mind" and if you aren't a fan you don't like good music. This song is almost reaching the levels of George Jones, Loretta Lynn or Conway Twitty which pretty much says it all.

With the closing number being that absolutely perfect westcoast swing "You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter)" I mentioned earlier there is no reason why you shouldn't just listen to it all over again. This is one of those albums that is far better than anyone could have expected and the production is nothing less than perfection on display. Ashely Monroe has put herself on the same level as Miranda Lambert as far as the best females in the current era. This is money well spent at the local record shop!