Laura Bryna - Trying To Be Me

Country music fans around the world are about to hear a new sound coming from Laura Bryna. Her debut album Trying To Be Me is full of a wide range of music that may catch your attention. Out of twelve songs, there are a couple that stand out above the rest. If you're looking for something different in your "country," here she is, although in many ways, this is a "bubble gum" debut album full of generic country tunes.

Laura Bryna fits the mold of today's typical country sound. Upbeat with a "pop" sound, it really leaves little to be desired. Laura is a beautiful lady, but even on the cover, they have her made up like a pop star.

One thing that's very impressive was the songwriters that contributed to this album. Writers such as Liz Rose, Jennifer Hanson, Sherrie Austin, Monty Powell and Skip Ewing all shared their talent on one song or another.

The tune "According To The Radio" was written by Monty and country icon Keith Urban. It was awesome to see some of Nashville's hottest songwriters have a part in creating this album, but I just didn't feel the chemistry that makes an album stand out. It's not that Laura doesn't have a great voice, it's like the songs and her just don't mix.

Now, there are a couple songs that are different, and "640 Battlefield Drive" is one song in particular that shines above them all. is about two brothers going off to war. It's a tough tune and shows what a mother goes through when she has not just one but two sons heading off to fight. By the middle of the song, you find out both of the sons' fate. This is by far the best tune on the entire album.

One tune off this album that is awesome is "Room 228." It's being told by someone who is acknowledging all the different things that go on inside a hotel room. From the start, it's obvious that the room doesn't belong to the nicest hotel. Instead, it's being described as a room with a single bed and a dresser. Everything down to the King James Bible is mentioned, including the sinner and the saints that have passed through the doors. By the end, you're left with an empty feeling, just like the hotel room.

Laura had a hand in writing "Make A Wish," which is about a child who is being asked about the one thing they would love to do. Everything from making a movie to meeting Mickey Mouse is offered to the sick child, but the only wish the child has is to make their friend's wishes come true.

If you're looking for a tune that's not afraid of causing controversy, "No Man's Land" is it. This is a fast paced song that will have your feet tapping from the start. This is a typical song about looking for love and saying all the good men are gone.

Trying To Be Me delivers a couple tunes that are worth listening to. Laura's got great potential and hopefully she won't get lost in the shadows on music row.

Release Date: January 22, 2008 - Equity Music Group

Song List:

1. Life Is Good
2. Maybe She Fell
3. Set It On Fire
4. Room 228
5. Same Dog
6. Make A Wish
7. Out The Window
8. 640 Battlefield Dr.
9. According To The Radio
10. She Can't Save Him
11. No Man's Land
12. Smoke From A Bridge You've Burned