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

Album Review

Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance
MCA Records

If you hadn't heard the name Lee Ann Womack before the release of I Hope You Dance, you certainly have become familiar with her now. The single and album exploded up the charts and Womack has found herself on the top of the country music world for the first time in her career. This country traditionalist has served up a diverse collection of music for her third album. You'll find everything from stone country to pop influenced tunes on this solid release.

The album opens with "The Healing Kind", another one of those traditional tunes Womack does so well. She's hands down one of the best modern day traditionalists. Quickly the album picks up a more modern feel with the smash hit single "I Hope You Dance" and the catchy "After I Fall".

I Hope You Dance continues to flop back and forth between sounds for the entire length of the disc. What's impressive about this is that Womack never seems out of her element. "I Know Why The River Runs" and "Stronger Than I Am" are both real winners. The albums two best tracks don't make an appearance until late in the album. The comical "I Feel Like I'm Forgetting Something" is a lot of fun. I can see this being a big hit single. "Does My Ring Burn Your Finger" is absolutely stunning and should remind us all of what made country music so great in the first place.

With I Hope You Dance Lee Ann Womack has made a statement. She's once again firmly placed herself in the upper realm of artists recording today. It will be interesting to see if country radio will accept any of the music on here that isn't laced with pop elements. If they do, you'll be hearing some of the best music brought out of Nashville in a long time.

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.