Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Mary Chapin Carpenter - A Place In The World
Columbia Records

Mary Chapin Carpenter is what I like to call a "quiet" super star. What I mean is that you don't hear much out of her or her fans but she is always on the charts turning out hit after hit. It is quite obvious that Mary loves her private life and wants to keep it as much to herself as possible when she isn't out performing. This life style has really had a impact on the music in this album which deals mostly with relationships.

Carpenter has released a solid sixth album showing us why she is as popular as she is. While I don't consider this album better than Come On, Come On her 1992 release, it definitely shows improvement over Stones In The Road which seemed to me to be a half hearted disc. Mary has went back to the simple sound that was so effective for her early in her career and I personally am glad to see the change.

Mary's first radio single, the jazz flavored Let Me Into Your Heart is a great song and was highly successful on the radio. Where to look though is her newest single I Want To Be Your Girlfriend which reflects the albums content better and is a song bound for a high slot on the charts.

A Place In The World's strong point is definitely the emotion filled ballads. All of them are sung with a conviction that only Mary seems to have but the best is That's Real which has received acclaim from most people who have listened to the album. Sudden Gift Of Fate is one of my personal favorites, for its well written lyrics.

If you like Mary Chapin Carpenter's vocal style, singing songs that can be fun, or can put you in a mood pick up a copy of this album. I wasn't disappointed!

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.