Album Review
Martina McBride
Greatest Hits
RCA Records
Purchase The Album
Martina McBride has long been one of the most underrated performers in the business. She has been quietly recording some of the most powerful country music of this generation and has racked up quite a few hits in the process. It’s strange to watch the award shows pass on giving her awards over and over again (granted she finally got it a couple years back). Now with the release of her 19 track greatest hits album Martina’s popularity has exploded. It’s apparent that Martina’s time has come as she joins her spot in amongst superstars like Reba McEntire and Shania Twain.
The album is arranged in chronological order, which is just really cool. You listen to it and actually get to hear Martina’s sound develop from cut to cut. All of her hits are here from early songs like “Life #9” and “My Baby Loves Me” to more recent smashes like “Broken Wing”, “Whatever You Say”, and “I Love You”. You also get the album cut “Strangers” which to this day is still one of Martina’s best songs. It’s a shame it was never a single.
Greatest hits packages usually strike me as a waste of time and money. It always comes across as a record label attempting to cash in on the success of an artist. The usual hits package just doesn’t include enough new material to make them worth purchasing if you’ve picked up a few of the studio albums. Thankfully Martina McBride does not make this mistake. Not only do you get a ton of hit songs you also get four brand new cuts that are easily some of the best music she’s ever recorded.
“When God Fearin’ Women Get The Blues” is a new approach for Martina. This is a seriously rocking song with thunderous drumbeats and roaring fiddles. It works and works well. I still can’t get this song out of my head. Let’s hope we see more cuts like this from Martina in the future. The current single “Blessed” is an uplifting song and a nice break from some of the really emotionally heavy ballads McBride likes to record. “Concrete Angels” is another classic McBride ballad and no matter how many times she sings songs like this they never get old. The one track that completely blew me away was “Where Would You Be”. Martina’s vocals have never been stronger and she captures that helpless feeling of wondering if the person you’re with really cares perfectly. Just a top-notch performance and a smash hit number one if I’ve ever heard one.
Martina it truly is “your time”. If you’re a music fan and don’t own this record already you’re missing one of the most impressive greatest hits albums to ever be released. If this collection of songs is any indication the future holds great things for Martina McBride.
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. |