Released on 27/09/2004
Label: Geffen

A verse nicked from Suzanne Vega’s "Tom’s Diner", a chorus filched from Avril Lavigne’s jotter and the oh-aren’t-I-a-handful? sentiment required by law from every ‘feisty’ (i.e. brunette) femme-rocker from Alanis Morrisette onwards - no doubt who’s been on Ashlee’s iPod. But there are worse mentors to revere. Big sister Jessica being one of them.

In a depressing reminder of LA’s Disney-style belief that pretty=good/ugly=bad, the subject of Ashlee’s prettiness and talent in comparison to her sister’s has been endlessly chewed over. But, judging by "Pieces…" Ashlee’s a much better bet for a 2030 Las Vegas residency than her sibling.

Dig her schtick or not there’s a corker of a melody here that lodges in the brain before the song’s even halfway done. And "It feels like I can finally rest my head on something real" wouldn’t sound half as touchingly vulnerable coming from a girl with a perter nose. As guitar-led lipstick confessionals go this is palatable stuff.

    by Anna Britten