Martina McBride-Eleven
Album Review by: George Peden
Many artists, especially country music ones, are often chained to formula and the corporate dictates of the label power brokers, who trap and tie artists to stay with the same sounding fare that has worked for sales and radio play.
On her new album, Eleven, 45-year old Martina McBride, a Nashville music veteran, has broken rank and decided there comes a time for change, redirection and a need to try something outside the familiar.
For that reason, some fans may not like this new release. However, for those who do, the transformation to a more pop geared album only proves what we know: McBride is a versatile and dependable singer, capable of boundary-pushing originality.
After a good term at RCA Records (18 years), Ms McBride has grabbed at change – a new label and an upfront song writing confidence with six co-writes – all suggesting this multi-winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year is forging her own independence day.
The album opens with a tune for her road shows: the drum-pounded “written for the fans” “One Night.” From there, the album moves through a succession of tunes that offer inspiration and interest.
The provoking “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” is a tainted tune (Ben Hayslip, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary) telling of every female fear: breast cancer. The sad reality of this devastation with its lyrical descriptions of forced smiles and baggy shirts hits home like the classic cruelty of the Reba hit, “She Thinks His Name Was John.” The exception being, Reba’s tune offered choices, with McBride choices do not come. As McBride, a mother to three, sings: “She dropped the phone and burst into tears/ The doctor just confirmed her fears/ Her husband held it in and held her tight/ Cancer don’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38...” The tune is a caring, sensitive showing of love and the supportive role of family.
Another tune that claims interest is the Warren Bros (Brad &Brett) co-write “Teenage Daughters”. The tune is reflective, personal, and timely, at least to those who lend money and dispense car keys. Telling of the untold joys(!!) of parenting, the tune is an album backstop.
On an album that is more cabaret than country, with traces of pop, R&B, and soul, McBride’s voice hits all the notes, and perfectly. “Marry Me “ featuring Pat Monahan (Train), the brass-laden “Broken Umbrella” and the telling honesty of “When You Love A Sinner” all prove the point.
This is a different album for McBride: to pen a description – more Celine than Tanya Tucker. Fans are not too concerned, though. At the time of writing, Eleven is sitting at #10 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. Eleven, with its 11 tracks and released on 11/11/11 is available now on Republic Nashville.
http://martinamcbride.com
Many artists, especially country music ones, are often chained to formula and the corporate dictates of the label power brokers, who trap and tie artists to stay with the same sounding fare that has worked for sales and radio play.
On her new album, Eleven, 45-year old Martina McBride, a Nashville music veteran, has broken rank and decided there comes a time for change, redirection and a need to try something outside the familiar.
For that reason, some fans may not like this new release. However, for those who do, the transformation to a more pop geared album only proves what we know: McBride is a versatile and dependable singer, capable of boundary-pushing originality.
After a good term at RCA Records (18 years), Ms McBride has grabbed at change – a new label and an upfront song writing confidence with six co-writes – all suggesting this multi-winning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year is forging her own independence day.
The album opens with a tune for her road shows: the drum-pounded “written for the fans” “One Night.” From there, the album moves through a succession of tunes that offer inspiration and interest.
The provoking “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” is a tainted tune (Ben Hayslip, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary) telling of every female fear: breast cancer. The sad reality of this devastation with its lyrical descriptions of forced smiles and baggy shirts hits home like the classic cruelty of the Reba hit, “She Thinks His Name Was John.” The exception being, Reba’s tune offered choices, with McBride choices do not come. As McBride, a mother to three, sings: “She dropped the phone and burst into tears/ The doctor just confirmed her fears/ Her husband held it in and held her tight/ Cancer don’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38...” The tune is a caring, sensitive showing of love and the supportive role of family.
Another tune that claims interest is the Warren Bros (Brad &Brett) co-write “Teenage Daughters”. The tune is reflective, personal, and timely, at least to those who lend money and dispense car keys. Telling of the untold joys(!!) of parenting, the tune is an album backstop.
On an album that is more cabaret than country, with traces of pop, R&B, and soul, McBride’s voice hits all the notes, and perfectly. “Marry Me “ featuring Pat Monahan (Train), the brass-laden “Broken Umbrella” and the telling honesty of “When You Love A Sinner” all prove the point.
This is a different album for McBride: to pen a description – more Celine than Tanya Tucker. Fans are not too concerned, though. At the time of writing, Eleven is sitting at #10 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. Eleven, with its 11 tracks and released on 11/11/11 is available now on Republic Nashville.
http://martinamcbride.com
Eleven |
Eleven-Deluxe Limited Edition |
