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LeAnn Rimes' almost eerie channeling of Patsy Cline on the 1996 smash single "Blue" is something that has somewhat confounded her career. While she has continued to have huge record sales, the elitism of the press has not been so kind. When she tried to break away from country music in 1997, with strange covers of "You Light Up My Life" and the National Anthem, she was attacked by critics. A well-sung, crossover-ambitious follow-up (Sittin' On Top of the World) met with equally lukewarm reviews. And then in 1999, she released a record of choice country covers and caught flack for not performing original material. It's an unfair amount of scrutiny foisted upon a girl with a remarkable voice who, at thirteen years old, became a sensation by the simple fact of that beautiful voice. Maybe so much is demanded of her because she is truly a gifted performer, not some novelty child act whose appeal wears off within a year or two. Certainly Rimes is a talented singer, and, as she grows into her art, an exciting performer to follow. She has yet to put out the record that lives up to her potential, but with each release, she gets a little close; and at eighteen years old, with four major releases under her belt, she seems to have plenty of time to do it. Judging from her obvious penchant for AAA balladry, however, don't be surprised if her defining moment has nothing to do with country music at all. Just expect to have your socks knocked off.
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