Ashlee Simpson refuses to be a part of her sister's "Shadow"

Okay. I'll admit it. When I heard Ashlee Simpson was cutting a demo, God I cringed. Who isn't sick of the actor turned popstar that is young things like Hilary Duff and the like? God, and if she was going to ride on her sister's fame, I was prepared to laugh.

Ashlee Simpson is the younger, lesser-known (for now, that is) of the two Simpson girls. She got her start as one of Jessica's backup dancers. Then she cut her acting chops on "7th Heaven" as Cecilia, a janitor on the show, who apparently knows more about mopping than Ashlee herself does. How do I know this?

Oh, did I forget to mention? Ashlee Simpson is the star of her own reality t.v. show, which airs right behind her big sister's. Am I hearing "sister's coat tails" anywhere?

But even I have to admit I was wrong. After watching 'The Ashlee Simpson Show' and seeing how much passion she puts into her album and how different it sounds when set next to her sister's poppiness-filled album. I became addicted to Ashlee's show. And her songs were just so darn catchy. So forgive me for running out like a teeny-bopper and yanking my copy of 'Autobiography' off the shelves. And I have to admit I love it. The music is fun, the lyrics are great, and Ashlee has that perfect rocker voice.

I just feel bad for Ashlee, because you know the Jessica/Ashlee comparisons are headed her way by other, more famous critics. Hopefully, this excellent album will set her apart, because she really deserves it.

So, a breakdown of the songs:

Autobiography

The album's namesake, and I couldn't think of a song that deserves it more. This is my favorite song. There's this one part where she sings, "I walked a thousand miles while everyone was asleep," only she draws out sleeeeeeeeeeeeep and, God I could sing that all day. The chorus is catchy and "rockin'", "Got stains on my t-shirt, and I'm the biggest flirt... If you want my auto, want my autobiography, BABY - just ask me." The vocals are interesting and keep your focus on what she's singing.

Pieces of Me

The lead single, this song was written for Ashlee's kind of boyfriend, Ryan Cabrerra. It's a song about how certain people just know about the pieces of you and they love those things about you. "On a Monday, I am waiting. And by Tuesday, I am fading and by Wednesday, I can't sleep." The lyrics are intelligent and she is certainly welcome in a pop world dominated by half-bootay lyrics by the likes of Avril Lavigne and the afore-mentioned Duff.

Shadow

One of the more thought-provoking songs on the album, this song gives us an insight into the mind of a sibling whose other half has gone onto fame. "I was six years old, when my parents went away. I was left inside a broken life that I couldn't wish away," Ashlee sings in an almost whisper. This song sounds almost bitter at the beginning with, "I was stuck inside someone else's life and always second best," but Ashlee lightens up with, "Everything's cool now, Oh my life is good, I got more than anyone should... and the past is in the past."

LaLa

Wooee. Do you think Joe Simpson had a heart attack when he heard this little diddy? It appears that Mr. Simpson only gave one daughter a chastity ring. "You make me wanna lala in the kitchen on the floor. I'll be your French maid when I meet you at the door. I'm like an alley cat, drink the milk up I want more." - WHAT? It's a rocking little song, but ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Mature of me, I know.

Love Makes the World Go Round

This is the poppiest Ashlee Simpson is going to go. But even through all that, her lyrics stay interesting. "And I'm growing numb and I've become this empty page. Hold on it's tragic, stumbling through all this static."

Better Off

I like this song. "My friends keep calling, they say I'm stalling," she sings as she starts of the second verse. This song's about the beauty of being in a loving relationship and feeling that since that person came into your life, everything's just peachy. The hooks hook you in, the lyrics, as always, stay strong and Ms. Simpson's voice is perfection.

Love for Me

This song rips off the ACDC guitar riff on 'Back in Black' and does a fair job with it. "Here I am, perfect as I'm ever gonna' be. You'll see - love me for me," is the chorus. I like this song. Some don't, but I like how dark it is. And we've all been here: "I love you, I hate you."

Surrender

Second only to 'Love Makes the World Go Round' for the poppiest of the album. That's not a bad thing. Surrender is a gurranteed hit. The lyrics in this song fall a bit short, "Oh, you drive me crazy, oh you just bring me down. Look out your window, my sunshine's all around," but when she rips into, "All you have to do is just surrender..." you once again believe Ashlee is fully capable.

Unreachable

This song was written after the demise of Ashlee's romance with Josh and it freaking shows. This song is the darkest you'll see Ashlee. "You had me crawling so bad..." she sings, before going onto, "Cause we're already beautiful. So don't make me cry..." and you just feel for her. "You can make me unreachable," she sadly sings.

Nothing New

I love these lyrics: "I find myself wrong again, staring out my window, wondering what it is that I should have said, I find myself at home again, waiting for the after call, from a fallout that feels like such a mess." What angsty pop/rock song features lyrics like this? And put them up against a melody that just doesn't quit, and you've got yourself a winner.

Giving It All Away

A tad on the poppier side, the lyrics still stay strong. "Hey you, smoking your sorrow, just pointing fingers at someone to blame." The chorus is a bit of a let down, as all it consists of is, "You're just giving it all away, giving it all away," but hey, it still works, because of the strong melody.

Undiscovered

Closing songs scare me. They always tend to be the weakest, or seem out of place. But I actually like this closer. It's slower than her usual song choice, but it's gorgeous, in my opinion (and that's what I'm here for, right?). "All the things left undiscovered, leave me waiting and left to wonder..." she sings. The lyrics stay strong throughout the entire album and that impresses me.

Do not just dismiss Ashlee because she's Jessica's sister, or because she's an actress, or because she has her own reality t.v. show. She is a budding talent and deserves the recognition that will no doubt be coming her way.

Track Listing:

Autobiography - 10/10
Pieces of Me - 9/10
Shadow - 10/10
LaLa - 10/10
Love Makes the World Go Round - 8/10
Better Off - 9/10
Love For Me - 8/10
Surrender - 9/10
Unreachable - 10/10
Nothing New - 9/10
Giving It All Away - 8/10
Undiscovered - 10/10

Overall-

110/120 for a 92%