I am not a fan of country music. It's just something I really haven't enjoyed listening to in the past. Every once in awhile I hear a country tune that I enjoy, but for the most part I don't like listening to that style of music. However, I grew up not too far from Pocahontas, Illinois and "Here For the Party" is one of the biggest things to happen in my old stomping grounds in a long time. So, I decided I would both support the local girl done good and find out what all the fuss is about. I was quite surprised. Wilson's songs and music are country, but with a twist. She has successfully combined the sensibility and earthiness of old style country lyrics with a modern sound that is fresh instead of stale like most "new" sounds are. There are traces of gospel, folk, and even a hint of blues in her music. The two songs I enjoy on the album most are "Chariot" and "Pocahontas Proud". I really enjoyed listening to this album and if I can find more music like Gretchen Wilson's, perhaps I'll be more open to listening to country music in the future.

OK, anti-Gretchen Wilson-ers ... y'all say she ain't "polished" and "all Nashville-shiny enough". Well, DUH!?!?!? She's jus' a lil' ol' redneck girl! I'm from southern Illinois - about 60 miles from her hometown - so I automatically love her. But seriously, what's great about her and her lyrics are that they come from the way she was raised and grew up. She pulled herself up by her own britches and she sings about it. If that ain't country music at it's finest roots, then y'all jus' ain't been listening long enough. She's good. Damned good. She ain't She-nay-ya and she ain't Faith. She's her own woman, singing her own lyrics. It's nice not to have Nashville rammed down our gullets - for a change - by being able to buy something new and innovative instead of ANOTHER of "canned country du jour". YOU GO, GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is nice to know that we finally have a good country CD out this year, I LOVE IT. songs like "Pocahontas Proud", "Redneck Woman", and "Here For The Party", really rock. Gretchen Wilson really reminds me of a 1995 Shania Twain, of a singer having some fun, and actually using some intelligent and unique lyrics (She wrote or co-wrote 6 tracks on the CD). Gretchen in my opinion, is the second best female singer out there today (Only behind Sherrie Austin (And if you read any of my reviews of Sherrie material you know how much I love her)), she does not do Celene Dion-type mawish material (Like Trisha Yearwood), or pesedo country (Like Shania or Faith Hill). Check out her song "Homewrecker", with lines like "I'm a Christian, but if you keep it up, I'm gonna kick your pretty little butt", that reminds me of Loretta Lynn's "You Ain't Woman Enough", and I actually prefer "Homewrecker". I would highly recommend going out and getting this CD, cause it is simply the BEST CD of 2004.

If you've heard people on the street corner asking "Who on Earth is this country chick?" the answer to their question more than likely is Gretchen Wilson. As evidenced by her runaway hit LP "Here For the Party," she is essentially the savior of modern country music. In an era when country artists keep crossing over into Adult Contemporary territory and trade in Nashville for glossy pop hits, she has emerged and reminded audiences how country music is supposed to be done.

After hearing her sing about her affinity for cowboys, whisky, leaving the Christmas lights on her porch all year long and wearing her jeans tight "just to watch the little boys come undone" it's plain to see she has that special something that gets beneath listeners' skin. The fact that "Party" has not left the Top 10 since its release is no small wonder.

Although upon hearing her six self-penned tracks there is a tendency to question her sincerity, it is in fact genuine. Hailing from a minute rustic community in Illinois, her mother gave birth to her when she was only sixteen and her father fled when Wilson was two. By age fifteen she was living by herself and running a bar called Big O's that was used to very rowdy crowds, where she had a 12-gauge loaded shotgun under the desk just in case she ever needed to protect herself. Some might downplay such humble beginnings, but Wilson owns them proudly, as evidenced in her smash hit single "Redneck Woman".

"Victoria's Secret, well their stuff's real nice/ but I can buy the same damn thing on a Wal-Mart shelf half price/ And still look sexy, just as sexy as those models on TV/ I don't need no designer tag to make my man want me/ Well, you might think I'm trashy, a little too hardcore/ But in my neck of the woods I'm just the girl next door."

If any listeners who've heard her hit single harbor any doubt she could sing sweet ballads as well as tunes raucous and upbeat, "When I Think About Cheatin" and "What Happened" prove she sounds just as at home in that department. In fact, the only notable downsides that exist on the LP are the fact the rap on her cover of Leslie Satcher's "Chariot" does not bode well in the context of the song or album, as well as the short length of the disc.

The album's sharp closer, "Pocahontas Proud," finds her singing just how important it is to her to make her hometown proud. With her album edging double-platinum status, it is safe to say they are.

"I'm the biggest thing that ever came from my home town/And I'll be damned if I'm gonna let 'em down/If it's the last thing I do before they lay me in the ground/You know I'm gonna make Pocahontas proud."

In addition, the bonus DVD that contains the awesome videos for "Redneck Woman" and "Here For the Party," awesome interview footage (including her family, friends and acquaintances and a visit to her hometown) and quality live performances justifies a purchase of this limited edition package. It should be noted, however, that "Rebel Child" and "It Ain't Easy" which have been released as overseas B-sides really should have been included on the CD.

For those who miss the good sound of TRUE country singers, Gretchen Wilson lives. Her music unlike Faith Hill, and others, has not crossed over to pop. Trust me, I think she'd K-O Faith in a boxing match. Not that I have anything against Faith Hill or any other singer who has a touch of pop in thier music, but, let's face there haven't really been any true country gals out for a long time.

Anyway, The best song ont he CD is "Redneck Woman". This song it anthem for beer drinkin', Honky Tonkin', Wal-mart shoppin', Charley Daniels and Tanya Tucker listin', non-high class broad of a woman. I have a friend who is the perfect poster person for this song. This song would scare off any city-slicker and gives the citreia for a "TRUE" Readneck Woman. Most of the songs on here have a heavy, country beat. But she does show her sensitive side in "The Bed" a song about a husband who doesn't tell his wife how he feels about her and how much he really loves her.

Over all the CD is a bit short, but that means you can go right back and start listening again. This CD is Great and actually deserves 6 stars if not more! If you love country or are just looking for some fast paced up-beat songs, this CD is great. I Highly recommend it. Whe has to do all the Older famous Country Gals proud.