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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 1999)
T~^ntertainment m Jessica Andrews “Heart Shaped World” Dreamworks Records Grade: D + Take a 15-year-old girl with a decent voice, throw in a grab-bag of a dozen pop sounding country songs, add some studio musicians, and you’ve got Jessica Andrews’ “Heart Shaped World.” A few things just seem to be missing - such as sincerity, feeling, heart and, well, any trace of genuine country music. But that’s OK, because Andrews has one quality that sets her apart from most other country artists - no, not lungs that will blow you away or really catchy songs - Andrews has the young, innocent look that everybody loves. Just look at LeAnn Rimes. As an inno cent, young teen. Rimes’ 1996 release, “Blue,” sold nearly seven million copies. Oh wait, Rimes also has a voice that can knock the pants off half the female singers out there. But Andrews is on her way up. Her first single, “I Will Be There for You,” was recorded on “The Prince of Egypt-Nashviile” project, and Andrews was able to sing it live, opening for Faith Hill a number of times late last year. Her CD, “Heart Shaped World,” is set to hit stores in late March. “I love all kinds of music,” Andrews said in a press release celebrating her first album. “I listen to everything, and I just can’t get enough of it. I like to hear the dif ferences among the styles.” It’s too bad her music doesn’t reflect the way she feels. “Heart Shaped World” is a pretty shoddy attempt to make non-country songs country by adding in a fiddle or a steel guitar whenever possible. It almost makes you queasy listening to such unnat ural, forced “country” music. Andrews does present a few solid bal lads amid a mix of medium-tempo songs. An acoustic guitar flows through “Riverside,” as Andrews sings about spending the night by the river with her boyfriend. “Unbreakable Heart” boasts lyrics that could bring someone in a heart breaking situation to tears. But any respect gained by listening to her ballads is lost when you hear teen-age anthem, “Whatever.” The phrase is repeat ed so many times, it goes beyond annoying. In all, Andrews and her first release, “Heart Shaped World,” lack most of the ingredients that spell good country musitf. Andrews proves it takes more than a cute face and a Tennessee address to be a country star. -David Wilson Singing sisters swing into town for free concert at union’s Crib The Crib in the Nebraska Union fre quently highlights local talent for University of Nebraska-Lincoln students. Much less frequently has that talent been described by Billboard magazine as “the most promising new band we’ve heard from this year.” Mulberry Lane, composed of four Omaha sisters, is as sweet as its name implies. With a folk-indie prowess not common among many vocal groups, the sisters have garnered considerable atten tion from the national scene. This includes a recent record deal with MCA Records and a popular single, “Don’t Cry ’Til You Get to the Car.” Despite the sudden national attention, Mulberry Lane remains grounded in Omaha and will be the featured guest of the University Program Council tonight for a free concert. The concert begins at 9 and promises an intimate setting for the harmonies and touching lyrics that brought the Omaha sis ters to national fame.
