Album Review
Reba McEntire
#1's
MCA Records
Purchase The Album
Reba McEntire is one of those artists which come around once-in-a-lifetime. She has one of the most distinct and emotional voices in the business and an impeccable taste in song selection. In her twenty plus years on the country music scene she has sold millions of albums (and more importantly than the number sold they’ve always been solid records), been showered in critical acclaim, sold out innovative concert tours, and racked up an impressive 33 number one singles. Now with #1’s all of those 33 number one tracks have been gathered together for the first time in one collection with a couple of new songs. It’s a fantastic look back on an incredible career.
Each CD in this two disc collection starts with a new track. Disc one contains the single “You’re Gonna Be” which managed to stand above the countless “happy parent” songs Nashville has been churning out over the last few years mainly because of Reba’s powerful vocal delivery. We’ve all hear this story before but not from Reba and as she's proven time and time again she knows how to get it right. Disc two’s “Love Needs A Holiday” is a fun upbeat country rocker about escaping the grind of every day life for a little while. Both new songs could potentially become number ones on their own.
The rest of the album is dedicated to the number one singles. They are presented in chronological order which allows you to hear the progression in Reba’s sound throughout the years. It’s a cool way of presenting the songs which adds a little something more than just throwing them onto CD in any random order.
Disc one covers the years 1982 through 1990. Reba’s first number one single “Can’t Even Get The Blues” is still one of her best songs. Early hits like “How Blue” and “You’re The First Time I’ve Thought About Leaving” are incredibly country and Reba’s voice sparkles on these tracks. Reba’s always had a way with ballads and songs like “Whoever’s In New England”, “The Last One To Know”, and “Rumor Has It” hit as hard now as they did when they were originally released.
Disc two includes the hits from 1991 to 2003. The early 90s are when some of Reba’s biggest songs were released and they’re all here. “Is There Life Out There”, “The Greatest Man I Never Knew”, “It’s Your Call”, “Does He Love You”, “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter”, and “And Still” are all examples of Reba in her prime where she effortlessly sends you on a journey through the gauntlet of human emotions. “The Fear of Being Alone” and “How Was I To Know” really showcase Reba’s sound turning into what it is today. The hard country edges have been replaced by smooth country pop gloss but she’s still singing the absolute hell out of the songs. The album concludes with the 2003 hit “Somebody” which was released some 21 years after her first number one single.
Reba has produced a body of work which most artists can only dream of ever even approaching and #1’s takes the best of the best for all of us to enjoy. The good news for all of us in country music is that Reba McEntire is still going strong and the collection of number one is sure to continue growing. Fans often argue about who the current queen of country music is but this collection leaves no doubt. Reba has earned that title 33 times over.
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. |