Album Review
Chely Wright
The Metropolitan Hotel
Dualtone Records
Purchase The Album
Chely Wright has had a rough ride with country radio. For years now she’s been recording consistently solid records only to find them largely ignored. Sure she’s had some big hits with songs like “Single White Female” and “Shut Up and Drive” but the fact is that compared to most of her competition Chely should have found herself mentioned in the same breath as such superstars as Martina McBride and Faith Hill. That hasn’t panned out for reasons which defy explanation but that’s about to change. After take a couple years off to write songs Chely has returned on a new label with a new album titled The Metropolitan Hotel which, simply put, contains the best music of her career.
The album opens with “It’s The Song”, a stripped down tune about all the time spent on the road and the reasons for continuing on. It’s one of the few songs on the record that Chely didn’t have a hand in writing but she might as well have. It sounds so autobiographical and gets the album off on a very personal note. “Back of the Bottom Drawer” continues that trend but this time in the form of a huge power ballad. Chely belts this song out with a level of conviction and intensity that I haven’t heard in a long time. It’s a real winner. The current single “Bumper of My S.U.V” rightfully deserves to be the hit that it has become.
The albums highlight tracks come about mid-way through the record. “The River” is simply one of the best story songs I’ve heard about a river and its place in the lives of people in a small town. The song takes a tragic turn and by the time it’s over you’re left stunned. It’s very strong songwriting. The tale of a mother and daughters relationship being torn apart by hardships in their life found in “Between a Mother and a Child” is equally chilling. These are what country ballads are supposed to be; powerful, moving songs with a real message to drive home. “I Got Him Ready For You”, “What If I Can’t Say No Again”, and “Your Shirt” are all winners as well.
There simply is not a bad track to be found anywhere on The Metropolitan Hotel. Most of the tracks written by Chely are deeply personal and such with such conviction that they really strike a nerve. The songs she didn’t write show Chely’s ear for a song and are equally as strong. Chely has one of the most distinct voices in country music and she’s made the best record of her career this time around. The Metropolitan Hotel is a must have.
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. |