Top of the World Ma!
by: jane kirk

LeAnn's album Blue debuted in 1996. Since then, she has released three more albums, including her latest, Sitting On Top Of The World.  This begs the obvious question, WHY? Listening to her latest album makes me wonder that even more.

The album is once again produced by LeAnn's dad, Wilbur.  I truly don't expect LeAnn's albums to improve at all until she finds someone else to replace dear old Dad.  Sure, it's sweet to think of a kid being that dedicated to her parents.  But, honestly, how much creative control can you expect her to have when the person producing her music is the same guy that changed her diapers?   As a result, her latest album is a mixture of watered-down soul tunes mixed with up-lifting dance songs.  Put Hanson and Celine in a blender.  Push chop, not blend, and presto! You have "Sitting On Top of the World."

It is unfortunate that the song selection is so bad.  LeAnn has a beautiful voice.  That much is obvious on the few highlights, such as "Rock Me," "When Am I Gonna Get Over You," and "All the Lovin' and Hurtin'."  Those are the three songs in which LeAnn takes the lyrics and makes them her own, instead of sounding like a little girl playing dress up.  Unfortunately, I can't say that about her covers of Jan Arden's "Insensitive," or Prince's "Purple Rain." (Editor's note - a country singer redoing Prince is synomymous with heresy).  For some reason, there is something incredibly hilarious about a 15 year old singing, "I only wanted to be your weekend lover."  But, if you buy this album, you won't be laughing by the time it reaches its closing track.  Instead, you'll be furious you wasted your money on it.