Album Review
Terri Clark
Pain To Kill
Mercury Records
Purchase The Album
Terri Clark has proven herself over the last eight years since she released her debut album. She’s a talented songwriter, has a great voice, and puts out consistently solid albums. Her last album Fearless was an outstanding release but didn’t fare very well on the radio. Terri has always had hits but she’s never really found a way to consistently top the charts but that’s about to change. With the release of Pain To Kill she has put together a collection of tunes that shoot straight for the heart of mainstream radio without sacrificing quality, which is something many have failed to do recently.
“I Just Want To Be Mad” is currently screaming up the charts and rightfully so. You’re not going to be able to get this song out of your head. It’s a catchy sing-a-long song but it also has substance and that keeps you coming back time after time. Then you hit “Three Mississippi” and you know you’ve just heard another number one. In fact, any of the first 5 tracks on this album could be hits tomorrow if put out on the radio. The title track is another classic Terri country rocker about getting out there, having fun, and for a while forgetting about any problems you might have. “I Just Called You To Say Goodbye” has a great vibe and Terri’s voice soars over the story of jumping in a car and leaving an old life behind.
Terri Clark has always been known for her fun, upbeat tunes but when she slows it down she really can deliver some knockout punches and there are a few of those songs on Pain To Kill. On “Better Than You” Clark croons over an instrumental backing that features, of all things, a steel guitar. Talk about guts, to go out there and cut a real country song, when everyone is obsessed with wannabe pop sounds. “The First To Fall” is a haunting little ballad about taking a chance and stepping into a new relationship. Terri absolutely nails this song.
Terri continues to get better and better with every release. I wasn’t sure how she was going to be able to match Fearless, which was an incredibly strong record. But somehow she’s managed to record an album every bit as good with Pain To Kill. If you’ve got some time to kill, this is one album worth spending some time with. Anyone on the top of the charts should be looking over their shoulder right now because Terri is on her way and she's bringing the hits with her.
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. |