Stephanie Quayle expresses the many times shared confusion of being a woman during our complicated modern times. On the disc’s title track, she lists off all the backwards female roles she’s not -- with housewife being just one of these. Yet she also reveals a softer personality side too. Once the music gets appropriately slower and quieter, she confesses she “…might just be the type to say, ‘I do.’” Yes, there are stereotypes she aims to live down. However just because she’s trying to put old-fashioned womanhood behind her doesn’t mean she doesn’t also want to fall in love and settle down. (Well, about as settled down as this livewire can get).

Some of the music on this album speaks to Quayle’s desire to make it in the music business, which is no easy task for anyone – particularly for a forward-thinking woman like her. The track “Alley of Desires” begins roughly with Quayle admitting, “I’ve got two tires from the alley of desires.” She’s learned from experience that following your dreams requires putting any insurance policy you may have to good use. There will be bumps and bruises along the way. There may even be a blown tire or two. One called “Sophia” finds Quayle giving advice to another struggling artist. In this case, Sophia is an aspiring actor. Obviously, Quayle sees a lot of herself in Sophia. “If I had all the answers/Would you even stop to listen/You’re walking in my footsteps/But your head is in the clouds today.” One has to wonder if Quayle might actually being sing these words to herself. Is she stopping and taking the time to listen to those that are trying to offer her the answers, for instance?

The song “Think Like a Man” finds Quayle attempting to play a little role reversal in order to handle the emotional stresses of life. No self-respecting man would ever settle for being a househusband. However, “Think Like a Man” is about more than just the roles of the sexes. Quayle is also hoping to tamp down her emotions. Men have a reputation of not letting their emotions get the best of them. Even when emotions rise up in them, men do their best not to show them.

Musically, Quayle is not a hardcore traditionalist. A song like “I Love You Too Much” has fiddle and steel guitar, but it’s not at all a twang-dominated track. It has just enough country instrumentation to make it country, but not so much so that it will scare off pop music fans.

In the long run, Quayle’s individualism and determination are what will nearly guarantee her an extensive career in music. She’s already caught the attention of Maria Shriver and sung at her 2009 Women’s Conference. She’s more Loretta Lynn -- and Gretchen Wilson after her -- than Carrie Underwood. We need a whole lot more women that are ready and willing to speak their minds. There’s nothing wrong with beauty queens that have pretty voices, but the majority of American women fit neither of these descriptions. In fact, a big percentage of women are the housewives Quayle refuses to become. Ultimately, if she can make a few of these seemingly trapped housewives feel a little better about themselves, then more power to her!

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