Women of Country - Album Reviews

Album Review

Shannon Brown
Corn Fed
Warner Brothers Records

If ever there was someone who deserved a break, it would be Shannon Brown. After many a years working to break into the music industry, Shannon was finally signed to a recording contract with RCA Label Group in 1997. Unfortunately, after a less than unsuccessful run on radio and no record release, she fell victim to a corporate restructuring. Now, she’s back on Warner Brothers Nashville, with an album produced by John Rich (of Big & Rich) poised to hit retail outlets on February 28, 2006.

Corn Fed is both the album’s namesake and first single. Crunching guitars and just the right amount of twang help to drive home the song’s anthemic American message. Take the chorus for instance, “Green fields for miles and miles / Ain’t nothing but country on the radio dial / I thank the good Lord I was born and bred / Corn fed!”

The second single, “Pearls,” is another winner and deserves to be a number one hit. In the vein of “I Hope You Dance” and countless other parent to child records, “Pearls” is a beautiful tribute to the power of love, and it’s darn catchy, as well. The lyric, “make sure he’s your best friend, when you give your heart away,” really makes the song.

Corn Fed’s most breathtaking moment, though, comes mid-pack on, oddly enough, a track inspired by the Matt Damon movie, The Bourne Supremacy. In one scene, there’s a suggestion that Matt’s character remember “something good” during the bad times – and, there you go. Shannon’s voice really lends itself to slower moments like these. Couple that with grade-A lyrics and you’ve got (pun intended) “Something Good.”

“She Brings The Lightning Down” is a soulful romp that really shows off Shannon’s vocal prowess, while John Rich’s influence can definitely be felt on tracks like “Good Ole Days,” “I Love ‘Em All” and the “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” referencing “Big Man.” By the time “Small Town Girl,” the album’s final track has run it’s course, you’ll probably be like me and find yourself hoping that the self-described “wannabe that’s gonna be / if [she] has a choice,” is gonna be. Not every track is a winner (“Can I Get An Amen” comes to mind), but every track has heart, and that’s a great place to start.

Album Review by Chris Macon.

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.