Album Review
Trisha Yearwood - Real Live Woman
MCA Records
Purchase The Album
After dropping the ball slightly with her 1998 release Where Your Road Leads I was concerned for the future of Trisha Yearwood's career. I've seen numerous artists be showered with awards and critical acclaim and then come crashing down right when they seemed to finally be getting everything they deserved. The decision to change producers and flirt with pop backfired violently. Thankfully, Trisha has rebounded with Real Live Woman. Returning to the studio with her original producer and with a high level of artistic freedom has brought Yearwood back to the top of her game.
The debut single and title track is a flawless piece of stone country that allows Yearwood to stun us with her vocal style once again. Much of the album follows the same note. Make no mistake about it, this album is all about emotion. If you're looking for trademark upbeat tunes from Trisha, you'll find the release strangely lacking.
"Where Are You Now" is easily one of the albums best tracks. The simple instrumental allows Yearwood to let her voice do all the work. It's this kind of raw power that drove her to the top in the first place. Matraca Berg penned "I'm Still Alive" which has my vote for the next big hit off the record.
The twangy groove and funny lyrics of "Too Bad You're No Good" remind me of something that would be on a Dixie Chicks record. "One Love" takes the award as the best upbeat tune on the album.
Trisha closes off the album with the piano backed "When A Love Song Sings The Blues." There might not be anything special about the song itself but when Yearwood hammers the delivery it instantly becomes something special.
All of my fears have been laid to rest. Trisha Yearwood has put together another sparkling collection. It would have been nice to have a couple more upbeat tunes to compliment the ballads. But each song on this album is so damn good it's hard to notice. It's nice to know someone out there still sings pure country music. Real Live Woman is simply the best album Yearwood has given us to date. When all is said and done this album has a good chance of being the album everyone remembers when they think of the year 2000. Yes, it's that good.
Album Review by Jeff Krasky
The WOC Rating Scale |
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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. |