The inaugural release on her own Dolly Records finds the ever-mercurial Dolly Parton moving away from the bluegrass/acoustic-oriented sound she explored on her albums for the Sugar Hill label from 1999 to 2005. Never content to stay in one place, she traverses a wide array of styles on BACKWOODS BARBIE. Opening track "Better Get to Livin'" has an anthemic, contemporary-country feel that's overtly radio-friendly. The jazzy, piano-flecked "The Lonesomes" adds an easy swing to the proceedings. "I Will Forever Hate Roses" and "Made of Stone" offer proof that Dolly still has a way with a good old country ballad.

While most of the tunes on BACKWOODS BARBIE (including the incisive, autobiographical title track) come from Parton's own pen, she shows her customary flair for covers as well, lending a surprising folk-pop flavor to the Fine Young Cannibals' '80s dance-pop hit "She Drives Me Crazy" and putting a touch of twang into Smokey Robinson's classic soul ballad "Tracks of My Tears." Even in her sixties, the country icon shows no signs of settling into a rut.

Entertainment Weekly (p.94) - "There's a nice middle grond here between her crossover ambitions and mountain-mama classicism." -- Grade: B+

Paste (magazine) (p.69) - "[I]t does showcase Parton at her most comfortable -- masterfully blurring the line between country and pop."