Women of Country - Album Reviews

Album Review

Lee Ann Womack
There's More Where That Came From
MCA Records

Lee Ann Womack’s arrival on the country music scene marked her as one of the few remaining artists willing to get out there and record traditional country songs. Her voice rings pure and true singing those pure country songs and it was a shame when she started heading towards a more pop flavored sound looking for that highly sought after cross over success. After the hit “I Hope You Dance” the quality of her music dropped through the rest of the album of the same name and her Something Worth Leaving Behind release. It seemed like country music had lost another of its true singers as Womack tried to come up with another song as equally compelling as "I Hope You Dance". With the release of There’s More Where That Came From Lee Ann lays any doubts about the future of her music to rest with a fantastic collection of stripped down country songs. She’s never sounded better.

The lead off single “I May Hate Myself In the Morning” is as good of a song as Lee Ann has ever recorded. It’s such a true story that so many out there can relate with and Womack’s vocals sparkle back in this surrounding. “One’s A Couple” is a clever mid-paced tune about an old memory that just refuses to die. Womack fans should eat this song up and I would expect it to be the second big hit off the record. The powerful “Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago” will remind people of something that Tammy Wynette would have recorded and Lee Ann simply nails the song. “There’s More Where That Came From” and “Waiting For The Sun To Shine” are equally as strong. If there is one thing this collection of songs has it's the hard-hitting, honest truth with which they're written and that gives Lee Ann a lot to work with in her delievery.

“The Last Time” and “He Oughta Know That By Now” would both do well on radio. They carefully blend modern and traditional country sounds into a solid package that proves what modern country music is capable of when it’s properly executed and performed by a talented vocalist.

The only thing this album is missing are a couple of upbeat tunes along the lines of “Buckaroo” or "(Now You See Me) Now You Don't” from her earlier works. While all the ballads are well produced, well written and masterfully sung a little bit of a change of pace at a few points in the album would have really put this release over the top.

Lee Ann Womack is back with a vengeance with There’s More Where That Came From and country fans everywhere should rise up and applaud her for having the guts to make such a daring country record. It would have been all to easy (and without a doubt less risky) for Womack to go into the studio and try to cut another “I Hope You Dance” but instead she went back and made an album you can tell is true to her heart. The end result is a collection of outstanding performances and a flash of hope for fans of traditional country music. There’s More Where That Came From is a winner and belongs in any country music fans collection.

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.