Julie Roberts - Julie Roberts

Julie Roberts has, along with producer Brent Rowan, picked a fine bunch of songs that create one cohesive debut album. This is a great record from an important new country voice.

After a couple of trying years, the females are striking back on the country music charts. Spearheading the chart revival are new traditional country music singers like Gretchen Wilson and now Julie Roberts. A former administrative assistant to UMG Nashville President Luke Lewis, Julie’s first single released is the achingly beautiful “Break Down Here.” While Trace Adkins did a fine version of the same song on his latest CD, the song seems better suited lyrically for a woman.

The Jamie O’Hara ballad “You Ain’t Down Home” is as traditional as any country song gets nowadays and it’s Judd’s like sound should really help Julie stand out on radio should it get released as a single. “Unlove Me” is a tender ballad that has a classic sound to it.. “Just Cause We Can” reminds me of an early Faith Hill single (Julie looks like her too). Anyone who has had a tough breakup will appreciate the sentiment of “Wake Up Older.” With a beautiful intro, “The Chance” ends the CD on a high note. If it’s not a hit then there’s something truly wrong with country radio, especially when the unmistakable voice of Vince Gill is highlighted on the song as well.

While Julie Roberts doesn’t write any of her songs, she and her producer (Brent Rowan) have found a collection of songs that any artist, new or not, would be proud to call an album. “Julie Roberts” is one compelling album that needs to be heard by all country fans.