Dolly Parton makes a very welcome return with her first mainstream country album in seventeen years, "Backwoods Barbie". As a big fan of hers, I had been anticipating the release of this album for ages and am glad to say that I am not disappointed at all.

The eleven tracks - nine of them written by Dolly herself - compliment Dolly's voice perfectly and as usual she evokes every emotion that each individual song requires.

The first song "Better Get to Livin'" is an inspiring song in which Dolly imparts advice about life and how you should let go and live without letting anything worry you. "Jesus & Gravity" is similarly spiritual and encourages the need to have faith in Jesus in spite of life's obstacles and hurdles.

The title track "Backwoods Barbie" - a title which Dolly applies to herself - expresses her wish to be taken seriously in spite of the way she looks and dresses. "Made of Stone", a heartbreaking ballad about a woman in a relationship with a married man… more »

Dolly Parton makes a very welcome return with her first mainstream country album in seventeen years, "Backwoods Barbie". As a big fan of hers, I had been anticipating the release of this album for ages and am glad to say that I am not disappointed at all.

The eleven tracks - nine of them written by Dolly herself - compliment Dolly's voice perfectly and as usual she evokes every emotion that each individual song requires.

The first song "Better Get to Livin'" is an inspiring song in which Dolly imparts advice about life and how you should let go and live without letting anything worry you. "Jesus & Gravity" is similarly spiritual and encourages the need to have faith in Jesus in spite of life's obstacles and hurdles.

The title track "Backwoods Barbie" - a title which Dolly applies to herself - expresses her wish to be taken seriously in spite of the way she looks and dresses. "Made of Stone", a heartbreaking ballad about a woman in a relationship with a married man shows Dolly's vulnerable side; as does "Cologne", a short, simple yet still very effective song about another tragic love triangle.

The sassy "Shinola" has Dolly taking out her anger and frustration against her selfish and conceited man, opting to leave him for someone else.

Dolly's voice is as strong and as beautiful as it ever was and this is a wonderful album. The songs are strong, well written and extremely catchy with excellent beats and instrumentals. Dolly proves once again that not only is she the greatest female country singer of all time, but also one of the greatest of any genre of music.