Album Review

Lisa Brokop - When You Get To Be You
Columbia Records

Purchase This Album from Lisa's Homepage

Lisa Brokop should be one of the biggest stars in country music today. She isn't. Why? Mainly because of radio's ignorance. When I first heard a sampling of When You Get To Be You I figured this would be the album to break her through to the big time. Once again that thought went down in flames. A bone-headed business decision by Columbia Records is keeping this album from ever releasing in the United States. It's a shame because this is easily one of the top five albums of the year.

The album opens with the roaring title track. If you can listen to that song without having to fight the urge to sing and dance around the room you must be in a coma. It's also a dangerous song to list to while driving. You get a number of strange looks from people in other cars. Great stuff. "How Do I Let Go," is a gut wrenching ballad. This song should have been a big hit in the states and it wasn't. But it performed very well in Canada. Go figure. The other single "Ain't Enough Roses," has a wonderful attitude and a classic musical feel.

The non-single tracks on this album are just as strong as the singles. The funky guitar and attitude displayed in "What's Not To Love," make it my favorite track on the album. "Heart Be Still," and "Better Of Broken" are two other beautiful ballads.

Lisa Brokop has come a long way. She's writing her own material more frequently and she's singing with more confidence then ever. Let's hope that next time around Columbia Records will let us poor people in the States hear her music. Until then you can purchase When You Get To Be You through her fan club (Official Website http://www.lisabrokop.com). You won't regret spending the money, this one is on my favorites of 1999.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

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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.