Album Review
Patty Loveless
On Your Way Home
Epic Records
Purchase The Album
Patty Loveless has now been making great country music for 15 years. In that span of time she’s never really missed her mark and has turned out solid albums time after time. She is one of the most consistent performers in country music and she delivers the goods once again on her newest album On Your Way Home. It’s almost as if Patty has grown tired of fighting between her two musical personalities (one the mainstream country artist and the other an impressive bluegrass performer) and decided to see what would happen if she let the two merge. The result is a truly impressive collection of songs which sounds both traditional and completely modern all at the same time.
The debut single from the album “Lovin’ All Night” is moving up the charts and rightfully so. It’s a fun, flirty little tune penned by Rodney Crowell and it’s delivered with all the sass you expect from Patty when she’s singing this kind of upbeat song. Songs like “Draggin’ My Heart Around” and “I Wanna Believe” (which features some great guitar work) continue on that trademark upbeat Patty Loveless vibe. This is the best she’s sounded doing these types of songs since her album Trouble with the Truth back in 1996.
Loveless can also belt out a ballad with the best of them and there are some real winners found here. The title track “On Your Way Home” is simply stunning. It’s got some of the most unique lyrics I’ve heard in a mainstream country song in quite awhile (“I heard you slipping down the hall/Tell me did your shadow trip and fall/Over you babe moving that slowly”). It’s one of the albums best tracks. “I Don’t Wanna Be That Strong” is an emotional plea to try and save a broken relationship. Then you have “Last in a Long Lonesome Line” which soars behind Patty’s vocal performance. It’s one of the more traditional sounding songs on the record and Patty can really wrap her voice around this kind of tune.
After listening to On Your Way Home and looking back on Patty’s career so far it’s almost a surefire bet that she’s going to release an album of the year contender each and every time she steps into the studio. She’s managed to balance two distinct sides of her musical personality into an impressive hybrid with this album. It’s a daunting task that many artists have failed to make work but Patty drives this one home and proves it can be done. This record will please both fans of modern country songs and those craving something laced with fiddles and steel guitar. When you add Patty’s instantly identifiable voice to the mix you have a collection that you just shouldn’t be without. If you can only purchase a few albums this year, this one should be on the top of that short list.
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. |