There are many types of girl groups: those built on equality with each member having limited talents (TLC, Spice Girls), those who are buoyed by the strength of a superstar (The Supremes, Destiny’s Child), and then there are groups like the Pistol Annies. They’re a rare type of girl group: to be sure, their mainstream breakthrough never would have happened without Miranda Lambert’s shining star, but she’s not the focus. Other members Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley have an equal part in their craft, but their gifts are certainly not limited. Ashley’s songwriting skills are rather detailed and sharp for a 26 year old, and Angaleena has a rich, nuanced voice that can carry ballads like “Being Pretty Ain’t Pretty” very nicely. And as well all know, Miranda can sure get the hoedown going with the strength of her guitar and flare. The Pistol Annies are a unified, thoroughly integrated trio, much in the vein of the Dixie Chicks. However, that’s not to say that the Annies are the next coming of the Chicks. Unlike Natalie, Martie, and Emily, the Pistol Annies are fully invested in sharing the spotlight, not giving one lead singer the duty of bringing the group to superstardom the way Natalie Maines was drafted back in 1995. “Annie Up” reflects that, as each song is meticulously woven with each personality of its creators in mind. You can definitely tell when Ashley, Angaleena, and Miranda trade verses, but the transitions are smooth, not jarring like Destiny’s Child could sometimes be. Same goes for the music, which is usually mid-tempo, built on neo-Traditionalist styles and is soft, yet assured. This, however, presents the only problem with “Annie Up”: while the girls on the cover look like hell-raisers, the music is never as thrilling or as varied as the album lead to believe. Each song, minus a few exceptions, is basically the same. Then again, it’s still a pleasant feeling to hear the lyrics, as witty and as wise as they are, to be backed up by music that isn’t garish. “Annie Up” definitely could have benefited from more of Miranda’s tough-girl exterior, but maybe that’s the point. Miranda may have founded the group, but this isn’t her group. Ashley and Angaleena have just as much to say as Miranda, so their bond runs deep. This makes songs like the bluesy opener “I Feel A Sin Comin On” sassier, the rock number “Hush Hush” catchier, and the slow-burning ballads “Blues, You’re a Buzzkill” and “I Hope You’re the End of My Story” richer. While there may be one too many ballads here, absolutely nothing goes to waste, making every song essential, every harmony crucial, and every emotion hums along on the understated charisma of the Annies. “Annie Up” may not be as perfected as the Dixie Chicks’ material, but the Pistol Annies do have their career defining record here, and it’s arguably the best country album released yet in the 2010s (rivaled only by, well, Miranda’s 2011 album “Four the Record”). All things considered, “Annie Up” is a lush, contoured album that really just gets better with repeated listens.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. I Feel A Sin Comin On2. Hush Hush 3. Being Pretty Ain’t Pretty
4. Unhappily Married 5. Loved by a Workin Man 6. Blues, You’re a Buzzkill
7. Don’t Talk About Him, Tina 8. Trading One Heartbreak for Another
9. Dear Sobriety 10. Damn Thing 11. Girls Like Us
12. I Hope You’re the End of My Story
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