In This Skin (by Jessica Simpson, Pop)

Jessica Simpson is a very pretty girl with a very nice voice, but that's about all there is to IN THIS SKIN. She wants us to know that she reached deep into her heart to create these songs, that they came out of the happy glow surrounding her marriage to Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees. The title song is heralded as a groundbreaking anthem to the insecurity felt by most teenagers. It's about loving yourself in spite of the part deep inside of you that feels unlovable, and teenagers will relate. But this important "message" song (like others offered here) would work better if it were written and delivered with a bit of wit and charm. This woman takes herself WAY too seriously.

On her official web page (www.jessicasimpson.com), Jessica boasted that this was the first project on which she's had a chance to really express herself -- she wrote or co-wrote most of the songs and had a great deal of control over the project. Unfortunately, the production sounds perfunctory, the keys random (many songs seem too high for her pretty voice), and the songs themselves are boring. Perhaps she could have used some experienced guidance after all.

Released on: August 19, 2003
Label: Sony Music
Genre: Pop