Jessica Simpson [ tickets ]'s sixth album and country debut, "Do You Know," forgoes rich storytelling and genuine heart in exchange for pop-driven, nondescript vocal showcases.

Tossing words like "God," "Pray," "Angels" and "Damn" into a lyric pool does not a country song make. Apparently, no one told Simpson, who had a hand in writing every track. A few steel guitars help the mood, but without an everyday-America feel or any real substance to the songs, these tunes feel more like bubblegum love-pop or mainstream radio ballads.

Simpson's thoughts are usually drowned out by heavy musical productions, repetitious choruses, or her own beautiful, but trying-too-hard vocalizations. Reiterating lines like "When I loved you like that," or "Are you man enough?" doesn't make them any more believable or authentic, and it comes across as what it is--filler. It's hard to concentrate on anything but Simpson's singing ability throughout the record, making "Do You Know" seem more like an "American Idol" audition rather than an organic, true-blooded expression.

Although the songwriting is mostly weak, there are a few promising selections. "Remember That" is a catchy girlfriend-to-girlfriend lecture about not going back to a bad man. "Remember how he pushed you in the hallway/just enough to hurt a little bit/Remember the whiskey in his whispers/and the lies that fell so easy from his lips," Simpson wails. And she shines on the hit single "Come On Over," a fast-talking, descriptive plea for company. Closing the album with star-power, Dolly Parton lends lyrics and vocals for the album's title track, a fun, boot-tapping, hand-clapping devotion to love.

"Do You Know" is a sweet, easy-moving collection of songs that never really conjure up any strong emotions. While Simpson has certainly mastered the art of singing, she may need to spend a little more time in Nashville to get some genuine country spirit into her music.