For fans of individual characters on the ABC series Nashville -- where actors actually perform the songs in the show -- Big Machine's series of character-driven albums makes perfect sense. While it's true that all of the songs that co-lead
Hayden Panettiere performed as Juliette Barnes have been issued on the series' four individual soundtracks, this 15-song set collects only those she performed in season one. While
Panettiere's character plays the pop-country crossover queen and seems to be the most "hateable," it's only because she represents a kind of freedom -- iconoclastic and unapologetic in its independence -- that easily intimidates others who stand on ceremony. Hers is also the character that signifies the most commercial side of Nashville's music industry -- and she totally delivers vocally. The first highlight is the rockist Americana of "Undermine," a duet with
Charles Esten -- who plays Deacon Clayborn -- co-written by
Kacey Musgraves and
Trent Dabbs. In a study of contrasts, the slick, beat-conscious "Boys and Buses" works almost as well. The studio version of "Consider Me" is a poignant yet anthemic ballad (an acoustic version is also included). The finest moment on the recording is "We Are Water," a cover of the
Patty Griffin tune. The pop/rock drive of "Used" showcases the hard-knocks side of
Panettiere's character, while the stellar closer, "Nothing in This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again" -- co-written by
Sarah Buxton and
Kate York -- is a moving, emotionally resonant number; its string section recalls
the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" in its arrangement. ~ Thom Jurek