Jo Dee Messina has something to celebrate even before the release of her new album, ME, on March 18th.  The project, funded by Kickstarter, is the most successful campaign to come out of Nashville at the time of completion and is the 15th largest funded music campaign in Kickstarter history. Fans were really involved in the album making process from selecting the songs, to the album artwork and title, to choosing the first single.

ME, which will be released on Jo Dee’s own Dreambound Records, is being called her most personal album to date. The songs are honest and fun and showcase her spicy, spunky attitude as well as her strong, confident vocals. The opening track really sets the tone for the record. “Not Dead Yet” is Jo Dee’s feisty retort to the naysayers: “You can put me down/You can count me out/I’m not listening to you/I paid my dues/Gotten bent and bruised I’ve walked a thousand miles in these shoes….I’m a little our of breath/But baby I’m not dead yet.” 

“Strong Shot of You” is a fun up tempo song about what a woman may need after a difficult day….and it isn’t a shot of whiskey or a glass of wine while “Love On A Maybe” is about needing that person to fully commit to the relationship, because she can’t give away her “love on a maybe.”

The humorous and sassy kiss off, “Peace Sign” is about saying goodbye to a flame using “one finger shy of the peace sign” and in the funky rockin’ “Take It” she sings about living in the moment and owning it.

“Me” is a personal, yet highly relatable, ballad about the insecurities many of us have. “I wish I was half the woman I’ve gotta be/I wish I had all the answers right in front of me….I’m scared as I can be because when I look into the mirror all I see is me.”

“Like A Kid Again” has a slight 70’s feel that fits in well with the nostalgia theme of the song where she sings that she’d “trade all this real to feel, like a kid again” and do things like spin in circles, play make believe and run barefoot in the rain.

Any working mother will absolutely love and relate to “A Woman’s Rant.” It’s a banjo infused, foot stomping anthem for the woman who does it all. Full of hand claps (love those!) and a blast to sing along to, “He’s Messed Up” cautions another woman of the guy who will “only bring you down” and encourages her to walk away.

“I’m Free” is one of my personal favorites from the album. The theme can apply to many situations, not just relationships. “Hey, look at me now I’m flying/Cause you ain’t got the best of me/Yeah these wings will take me higher than you’d thought I’d ever be.”

The album closes with the solemn, piano ballad “Say Goodbye to Superman” about how the demise of a relationship affects a child.

Jo Dee’s latest album proves she is alive and well….and thriving! Definitely seek ME out!

5 Stars