Katie Armiger - Confessions of a Nice Girl
By: Matt Bjorke
It’s often hard to transition from teenage to adulthood yet with the release of her third album for Cold River Records, Katie Armiger is doing just that. While there are still plenty of youthful tracks to be found on Confessions of a Nice Girl, the album showcases a maturity that was only hinted at on 2008’s Believe. Not only has Armiger matured on this release but the quality of songs she has on the 13-track Confessions… has gotten stronger as well. Case in point is “That’s Why,” a ‘power ballad’ written with Rebecca Lynn Howard. Like some of Howard’s own material it’s a song full of pain and reasons for why not putting yourself out for the chance of love, to protect one’s self from getting hurt. The Sarah Buxton, Jeremy Stover and Brian Maher co-write serves as the ‘title track’ to the album and it mixes in a progressive, propulsive melody with lyrics that have all the sass and bite of a Martina McBride song.
One of the ‘youthful’ songs on the album, “Best Song Ever” is soon to be a single from Confessions of a Nice Girl and it’s the only song on the album that recalls anything by Taylor Swift. The melody is playful and the lyrics, written by Katie with Bruce Wallace and Amanda Flynn, talk of a song that helps the narrator get over a break-up. Solely written by Katie Armiger, “Cry Cry Cry” features some pretty strings by Jonathan Yukdin but they only add to the contemporary country feel of the song as acoustic instruments get nearly as much ‘play’ as the cellos and violins do. It’s a powerful reflection about a relationship that seems to be going nowhere and often ending up in argument form. It also feels as if the work in the relationship was all on Armiger’s narrator’s end.
“I Will Be” is one of the love songs on this record that isn’t about a break-up but instead is about being the strength to help one get through all of their bad times. Produced by Charlie Sexton, this song could very well be a great first-dance song at a wedding for a couple or a song of faith. As such it has massive cross-over potential on both Adult Contempoary (and possibly pop) stations and also Contemporary Christian music as well. “Leaving Home” is a great partner for this song as it could very well be a mother/daughter dance song at a wedding or played at a high school graduation ceremony (which it was this past summer). Armiger, who has gone through this very experience just recently, sings from the heart and the tune hit the Top 30 of the Billboard, Music Row and Country Aircheck indicator charts (smaller market country radio stations). It’s a fantastic song that could live on for quite a while and any child or parent going through the exact situation will undoubtedly relate to “Leaving Home.
If there’s one thing to take-away from this review when considering to purchase this album its that Katie Armiger has shown remarkable growth from her first self-titled album to Confessions of a Nice Girl. Each song on the album fits a certain mood or a situation ‘ripped from life’, and that helps make this album the best of her career and one that rivals any mainstream country music album release from a major label this year.
You can support Katie Armiger by purchasing this album at Amazon ($5.99)| iTunes.
If you prefer your music to be more than ones and zeroes you can purchase the album at Amazon.
READER'S COMMENTS
JoDee MEssina says:
Posted: Thursday, November 4, 2010
Someone give this girl song writing lessons. She can not write a good song to save her life. All decent attempts are ruined by weird and awkward statements like "sugar cookie perfume" or "trying to see in the dark" it's childish and immature sounding. The girl can sing. She's gorgeous. but STOP WRITING WITH SARAH BUXTON. the two are a silly girl power pop train wreck. Best of luck Katie. Take a few classes and you will be fine.
angela smith says:
Posted: Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Katie Armiger's newest album, like the rest is okay, but not great. In essence she covers all the bases. She's got a few fun songs, a few sad songs, one about revenge, and then some. Being her third album, this one is a little more grown up, which is certainly what they tried to push. However, this album is really kind of a mess. It's apparent that whoever made this album was trying to give Catie an edgier, more grown up image, yet it falls short. The title alone is confusing. "Confessions of a Nice Girl," though a fun and catchy title, is a conflicting overall theme, I hope its sarcasm. There is no clear vision in this album, its as if they were trying to play 100 different cards at once. Who are they trying to make her? In some songs she sounds vulnerable and naive, while in others shes a bad girl seeking revenge, still in others she's a nice girl. It looks like her song selection was chosen at random. There really is no stand out song in this album, it all kind of runs together. It doesn't makes a whole lot of sense. Also, her songwriting could use a TON of work. You would think by now someone would have hinted that songwriting is not her forte. In this album, like the rest, you get a hodgepodge of awkward and unnecessary phrasing. having pulled in writers such as Sarah Buxton, Jessie James, and Rachel proctor, this album seems like it would have a lot to offer lyrically. I however was a little disappointed. Katie's voice, though beautiful and unique, cannot make up for what is lacking in song structure. She's a great talent, it's really a shame. In this album you get what exactly you would expect from Armiger, power notes and pop country chords. This albums is really a pop album with a taste of country, the reoccuring rock guitar and heavy drumming really drives it away from the audience it is intended for. Having said all of that, I should mention that, despite my criticism, I do like this album, it's fun and catchy, it's just not great. I think that Armiger has a lot of potential. Come on folks, she's beautiful, shes got a spotless record, and her voice is amazing. The thing is, she needs more. There's a reason why Taylor swift is selling millions of records and Katie isn't. While swifts voice lacks substance and overall quality, she makes up for it 10000 fold in song choice, writing skills, and many other things that Armiger has overlooked. The charts don't lie, people. The fact is, Katie Armger's albums, though decent, will not do well unless something is changed. This album does not standout, there is nothing incredibly special about it. This is why she has yet to emerge as a household name. It's sad but true. I have hope for Katie in the future, and I really do wish her the best of luck, but for now,she ought to consider having a long talk with Taylor Swift.
Countryfan22 says:
Posted: Friday, October 1, 2010
Great review! I can't wait to hear this album!! She is definitely an amazing Vocalist
Ben Foster says:
Posted: Friday, October 1, 2010
Nice review, Matt. I enjoyed this CD as well. It has a lot of character to it, as well as some totally showstopping vocal performances.
Delaney says:
Posted: Friday, October 1, 2010
Katie Armiger is AMAZING!!! Watched her the other night online perform some of the songs...Hurry up Tuesday!!! <33333
Pamela says:
Posted: Friday, October 1, 2010
Looking forward to getting it next week!
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