Little Rebellion Music

Songwriter: Kasey Chambers

‘Not Pretty Enough,’ is written from the perspective of a bullying victim, which is a nice respite from the standard song topics of love, trucks, and…well, the country. Its chorus focuses on what the narrator’s perceived flaws might be, and wondering why said bully won’t accept her the way she is. The verses, however, tend to be more meandering and don’t always seem to have a lot to do with the song’s main idea, though the second verse contains a flash of brilliance when Milner sings, ‘I hope, I stand, I take it like a man.’ While it may not be intended as ironic as it sounds, it is a cool line nonetheless.

The song carries a good message (it’s being used in an anti-bullying campaign according to the accompanying promotional materials), but unfortunately it’s sometimes difficult to understand what Milner’s singing because she’s not enunciating enough and sounds like she’s not opening her mouth much. There’s also a general sense of lethargy in her vocal, particularly in the choruses. She starts to open up a bit during the end of each verse, but then the chorus hits and she settles back into the previous dynamic and emotional level despite the band now playing double time and at a much louder dynamic. The press material has quotes from folks saying what a powerful voice she has, but I hear little evidence of that on this track.

Instrumentally, the arrangement is a pretty standard pop/rock one with some fiddles and mandolins added in for good measure, all done fairly well. Overall, Milner sounds inexperienced as a singer and I think working with a producer who knows how to draw good vocal performances out of her would definitely help.

Listen: http://bit.ly/UWzQMP

• About
• Latest Posts

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.

Latest posts by Liv Carter (see all)

• Well yes, racism, but it’s more complicated - February 13, 2017
• Black River Entertainment had a great reason to party! - October 25, 2016
• Keith Urban returns to the States for US arena leg of his “ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2016” - October 10, 2016