Album Review: Martina McBride - Eleven

Great timing on this album. Martina McBride released her eleventh album, "Eleven" containing eleven songs on October 11, 2011.   The six-time CMA winner and five-time ACM winner (including an honorary award in 2011) Has been a staple in country music since she burst on the scene in the early 90's. She's an amazing singer that defines country music.

One Night: What a song. Makes me want to just drop everything and go on an adventure. No worries. No concerns. Just love. I can agree. I'm Tired of waiting my whole life for something real. Like a match under my ass cause I'm ready to live it up. It's too bad the radios are going to play the shit out of this song.

Always Be This Way: This song is short but to the point. A well-written song about love.  Who wouldn't want their lover to say " you make my heart beat faster," and "I'm crazy for you"? It's too bad life's so freaked up that things can't always be just the good times.

I'm Gonna Love You Though It: Such an inspirational song to keep the fight. Although this song is very sad it's the truth. It's an amazing feeling have a person to hold on to and help give you strength when you have nothing left. There will always be those moments where everything is taken from you but, guess what, you're loved. Even though this song makes me want to cry, I love the video of real stories of people who didn't think they had anything to live for, but they survived.

Marry Me: I like everything about this song, although I definitely don't think she should be saying "marry me" to the guy. I guess I'm old fashion when it comes to those things. Even though it sounds like they are just two people wishing they had the nerve to go over to the other and say "hello", yet they want to marry each other. Now, I've heard stories of people just taking a look at someone and knowing they're the one for life, but I guess it's just in what you believe in. Awesome song. I think she chose a beautiful, gentle sound, and it doesn't hurt to have a great guy singing it with you.

Broken Umbrella: Even though this song has nothing to do with Christmas, I love how the song has that tone to it. No care in the world just cause I'm with you. I love it. :-) Why should anything else matter when you're in love? You should never let the little things bug you. There is more to life.

You Can Get Your Lovin' Right Here: I love how she just lets her man be a man. There are too many little high school girls who think if they keep a tight chain on their dog, he won't run away. ( He will run for the sky right when you turn away) She just sings of how she will let him do what he wants as long as he comes home for a passionate night or two. Great song. She has amazing range in her voice.

Whatcha Gonna Do: A huge change from the first part of the album. Then again every relationship has there rocky points. I definitely agree when a relationship is not working there is no use for staying and putting yourself through the heartbreak. Like She says, "I can't keep waiting around this house, expecting you to change, You lead me on and let me down every time you say your sorry." It will never work itself out if only one person is doing the giving and taking. Partnership.

Teenage Daughters: No kid comes with a manual. Of course when they're small, they love you and you're the greatest thing since ice cream, but when those teen years come along, you're wrong. Just love them for who they are and help them become the best they can. Don't give in but don't abuse. Awesome songs for parents who think they're alone.

Summer Of Love: This song is deja vu for me. I've never had a song explain my situation more perfectly then this one. It was like i was reliving the moment. A wonderful song about "kiss me one more time, you said kiss me so I won't forget, so I can have this feeling even when you're gone." I think every person who's in a military relationship can agree with me on this song.

When You Love A Sinner: This song reminds me of people who marry because they think they can change the other person. In the end you don't.

Long Distance Lullaby: I don't really know what to say about this one. It's beautiful, sweet, and is something that would surely put me to sleep. I do wish I could send my kiss a thousand miles to you, and just to feel your touch.

This is an album that shows slightly different styles (which all sound amazing). It is one of my favorites. She held my interest through out the whole album. I love that she didn't put songs that wouldn't go on the radio or that didn't make any sense. It was powerful but gentle and inspirational and got to the point. Her voice is sensational and her range is amazing. She is one of many people that is going to keep country music alive.  9/10

~Lynzee

Album Review: Lauren Alaina - Wildflower

As mentioned in the Scotty McCreery review, Lauren Alaina is the other country artist to come out of the tenth season of American Idol.  Taking second, Lauren released her debut album a week after McCreery and both artists show a lot of promise.  I am sure it is no coincidence either that Alaina's album was released on the same day as Martina McBride's: Lauren made her debut to the country world by being introduced by McBride at CMA Music Fest this year, where they performed Martina's hit "Anyway".

Alaina is just sixteen years old, but her powerful voice lends a maturity to her coming-of-age songs that we did not find in Taylor Swift's early releases.  Because of this Lauren has a chance to surpass Swift, maybe not in quantity, but in quality.

Georgia Peaches - At sixteen, most would expect Alaina to lead off the album with something safe about home, and she does.  Few would expect a rocker song a la Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert.  Alaina does this too (albeit without the bitterness of heartbreak that Carrie and Miranda do so well).  What results is probably the catchiest song on the album.  Georgia Peaches is a fantastic introduction to Lauren, and is already the second single from the album.  This one could easily crack the top ten on the charts.

Growing Her Wings - Another upbeat song while avoiding mixing in too much pop.  The song is the first of many songs about growing up as a teenage girl that show up on this album.  "Wings" is about a girl whose parents are afraid to let her soar the way she wants to.  "They got her whole life on lock down/ Doing time behind her bedroom door/ I guess it's alright for right now/ but outside her window there's so much more"

Tupolo - Alaina slows it down a bit for "Tupelo" and adds a bit of a tropical type beat to it.  The song is nothing new, as many artists have sung about young love, driving in a car or truck, just getting away for a bit.  That said, the song serves as a great way for Alaina to transition to slower tracks and adds a little bit of depth to her repertoire of singing skills.

The Middle - "Middle" is a song full of great advice.  It opens with reminiscing, most likely on someone's advice who has passed.  The meat of the song is about making each moment count.  Our gravestones have two dates, birth and death.  But as the song says "The beginning and the end mean so little/ What matters most is what's in the middle".  The song is as slow as you can expect it to be, and adds to the range of Alaina's voice.

Like My Mother Does - The first single to come from the album, "Like My Mother Does" is a beautifully written song about how much she is like her mama.  The singer is okay with this though, because that is exactly who she wants to be.  It is also a great opportunity for Lauren to show her pipes, as she channels Martina McBride and belts out some long high notes.  Enjoy the video:

She's A Wildflower - Another coming-of-age song about trying to find her place in the world, "Wildflower" picks up the pace into what is definitely Alaina's comfort zone.  The song does not stand out in the country world, as many have done this type of song, but Alaina owns it.

I'm Not One Of Them - Alaina continues her sassy girl image with a song that a lot of girls should listen to and take to heart.  "One Of Them" is a song about having respect for yourself as a woman instead of chasing after guys with a flashy smile and big wallet.  Find someone who is worth your time and gives you something back. "You're gonna have to do better than that/ If you want my love/ You've got to give me some back/ Give me something real/ Not another come on/ Baby Come on/  There's a lot of girls who might just fall for what you got/ But I'm not one of them".  This song should definitely follow "Georgia Peaches" as a single.

The Locket - Alaina does a fantastic job of telling a story.  This song, which sounds like the movie "The Notebook" in song form.  This song just might bring a tear to your eye as you listen to the tail of lifelong love.  The simple music gives Lauren a chance to show off her vocal ability in a moving way.

Eighteen Inches - Another example of great storytelling, "Eighteen Inches" is about a girl who runs away with her boyfriend to California.  The title refers to how disconnected logic and emotion are:  "'Cause when you're young and in love, yeah/ You might do some things/ That don't seem all that smart/ 'Cause there ain't no greater distance than the/ Eighteen inches from your head to your heart"

One Of Those Boys - The guys version of "I'm Not One Of Them", "Boys" is about the perfect guy in Alaina's eyes.  She describes him as country, wanting to have fun, but respectful to her and her father.  "He ain't gotta have money or a brand new truck/ But he better shake my daddy's hand/ When he comes to pick me up/ Gotta be a little reckless, a whole lotta fun/ And he's gotta know my midnight curfew/ Don't mean 12:01".

Funny Thing About Love - The only song on the album that Alaina helped to write, "Funny Thing" is about how love never makes sense.  Lauren opens with "You used to want me/ But I didn't want you/ And now I want you, oh/ But you don't want me".  I can think of several times I have wondered about why love does not make sense, and I am sure everyone will relate to this song.

Dirt Road Prayer - Alaina wraps up the album with a slow song about where she can always turn when she is overwhelmed or needs advice, to God.  Lauren prays for her family members before turning to herself, asking to make the time go slower as life has been flying, and praying for guidance over the boy she thinks might be the one.  The song is a beautiful way to end the album, and contrasts perfectly with how it opened, demonstrating the wide range of abilities Alaina has.

"Wildflower" is definitely one of the best debut album's I have heard in a long time.  The vocal ability makes one sometimes wonder how she finished runner-up in American Idol.  Either way, those die-hard country fans who are worried about the future of country music need look no further than Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery to see that the future is in safe hands.  8/10

The First Review: Blake Shelton - Red River Blue

Blake Shelton is one of the biggest artists in all of music right now.  It seems that no matter where you turn, he is in the spotlight.  He has a beautiful new wife, fellow country star Miranda Lambert, a soaring career, both in music and now on Television.  He is now one of the coaches on the new NBC singing show, "The Voice", where his comedic act often steals the show from arguably bigger names, such as Christina Aguilera.  In 2010, Blake released three separate albums, two six-song EPs (Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight), as well as a "Best Of" album titled "Loaded".  He also has one of the best twitter feeds I have ever seen (He once declared war on PETA, even going so far as to get himself blocked by one of their accounts).

It is easy to see why he has dubbed himself "The Most Interesting Man In Country Music" (If you have not seen the videos, you should definitely check them out).  Right now, he is.  So, with all of this going for him, how does his new album stack up?

"Red River Blue" is the sixth studio album (eighth if you include the EP's) released from Blake.  It has already spawned a number one hit, the song "Honey Bee" which spent about a month as the #1 Country Song in the US.  The album was released on July 12, 2011 and is projected to debut at #1 on the Country Albums chart as well as the Billboard 200 Chart.

Now to look at each track individually:

Honeybee - As mentioned before, this was the first single to be released from "Red River Blue".  The song is definitely catchy, and it is easy to see why it climbed the charts so fast.  In the song, Blake expresses that he is not very good at telling his lover how he feels about her, but he is going to try, admitting that "it came out a little country", saying that if she will be his honeysuckle, he will "Be her honeybee". Overall, this track is fantastic, and I see it being in playlists and bars for a long time.

Ready To Roll - This song  is a fun number, perfect for a Saturday or Sunday theme song with one's baby.  After working all week, Shelton is ready to kick back and just enjoy the day doing nothing, but making sure that all of that "nothing" is done with his baby, saying "We got a whole lot of nothing to do, and nowhere to go.  So baby, I don't know about you, but I'm ready to roll."  I really enjoyed the heavier bass beat that drives this song, and the fingers snapping in the background and simple lyrics set it up to be a fun song for his concerts.

God Gave Me You - The second single to be released from the album, this song is currently climbing the charts and sits at #31.  "God Gave Me You" is one of those slower love songs that shows appreciation for the ones that settle us down, complete us, and most importantly, forgive us when we mess up.  The song is reportedly written for his wife, Miranda Lambert, at a time when he has messed up.  This song serves perfectly in this role.

Get Some - This is one of the goofier songs on the album, but that makes it one of the better ones, because it is where anyone who follows Blake's twitter feed knows he is most at home.  He talks about what he knows best, drinking and sex.  The chorus shows this perfectly: "Everybody get sideways to have a little fun.... Everybody's dyin', To get some".  "Get Some" is written in such a catchy and simple way that makes it perfect for everybody to raise their glasses and sing along in the bars. This song is one of my favorites from the album.

Drink On It - If anyone is noticing a trend, it is that Blake Shelton likes two things: Women and Alcohol.  "Drink On It" is no exception.  It is a "bar room love song", which finds the singer hitting on a girl who is preparing to leave, as she has to work tomorrow and has a lot on her mind.  But instead of giving up, Blake buys another round and suggests that they "Drink on it".  The song is about as smooth as a guy tries to be in the situation, and it works.

Good Ole Boys - This fun song follows in a growing trend of wondering what happened to the new generation of teens and "adults" and why has it changed so much from how it used to be.  The song opens, "Well every time I turn around/ I see some dude dressed like a clown/ Baggy pants and a cap on sideways/ They don't say ma'am or sir no more/ They won't even hold a door/ for a woman well it's a cryin' shame".  The title and older style of country suggests a nod to Waylon Jennings.  The spoken part at the end is definitely worth listening to, as is the entire song.

I'm Sorry - Martina McBride makes a guest appearance on the sad song "I'm Sorry", but personally, I do not think she is featured enough here.  The singer's girl has left, but come back saying she is sorry, but as he points out "I'm sorry/ Sometimes sorry/ just ain't good enough".  I am not a big fan of this song, as it is just a bit too slow and depressing for my taste.

Sunny In Seattle - This is one of those feel good serenades.  One in which the singer pretty much says that there is no way in hell that he will stop loving his woman.  He states that the only way his love will end is "When it's sunny in Seattle, and snowin' down in New Orleans".   It feels a little out of place and ironic after "I'm Sorry", which is a shame because it really is another solid, catchy tune.

Over - Another serenade, but this one with the singer wondering what it would take to GET the girl.  He starts out laying out everything he would do if she were his, "I would dare/ Feed your dreams/ and starve your fears".   The tone and style of the chorus, however, feels and sounds a lot like "She Wouldn't Be Gone" off of Blake's "Startin' Fires" album.  This song, though, ends up as a "meh" on an album containing a lot of good songs.

Hey - This is probably my favorite song of the album, and with it, Blake returns to his fun loving side.  Blake uses the word "Hey" (or its heterograph "Hay").  The song is a fun, upbeat song, and gives a shout-out to you no matter what your truck of choice is: "Hey, Hey/ Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet/ Diff'rent Stroke for Diff'rent folks" and then launches into one of the best interactions of the song.  Overall, it is a great song that I am sure is going to be a lot of fun to drive to.

Red River Blue - The title (and final) track to the the album swings back to the sad side of country music.  The singer stands on the Oklahoma side of the Red River, looking out across into Texas (where his baby lives) and wondering what went wrong to end his recent relationship.  Wife Miranda Lambert makes an appearance on this track, and the two really work well together.  Even though it is not as upbeat as the music I typically like, it is still among the strongest tracks on the album.

Overall, "Red River Blue" is a solid album for one of the biggest careers in music.  Blake really shines when he is singing about the stuff that he is known for, comedy, alcohol and women.  I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of country music.  8/10.

Update:  It is official, "Red River Blue" debuts atop the Billboard 200, having sold more than 115,000 copies.