Autobiography (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Ashlee Simpson (vocals); John Shanks (guitar, keyboards, bass instrument, background vocals); Jamie Muhoberac (piano, organ); Patrick Warren (chamberlin); Abe Laboriel, Jr., Kenny Aronoff, Jeff Rothschild (drums); John Feldmann (programming); Kara DioGuardi (background vocals).

The younger sister of pop star/reality-TV icon Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson has done nothing to hide her well-documented connection. However, to assume Ashlee is a carbon copy of her superstar sibling or simply trying to ride Jessica's coattails would be plain wrong. While Jessica sings straightforward, gentle pop tunes, Ashlee's music tends towards the angst-ridden and self-analytical, and where Jessica's vocals are light and bouncy, Ashlee explodes with a teen-punk roar.

With her debut record, AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Ashlee unveils a soul-searching sound that lies somewhere between the precocious explorations of Avril Lavigne and the jaded wanderings of Alanis Morissette. The opening single "Pieces of Me" features an ever-changing musical landscape, with Ashlee's powerful voice fading in and out like the love story of the song itself. The title track boasts a sinister guitar opening and a crunching rock riff offset by a huge melodic hook. AUTOBIOGRAPHY may surprise some people, but it's simply a solid pop-rock debut by a talented artist, regardless of famous family ties. minimize