Women of Country - Album Reviews

Album Review

Mandy Moore
Wild Hope
The Firm Music

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in a sunswept airport, surrounded by so many signs of life. People are coming, people are going, planes are touching down, and, perhaps more fittingly, planes are taking off. It is this image of flight that I associate with Mandy Moore’s new record, Wild Hope. I’ve driven through beautiful landscapes with it coming out of my speakers, sat in quiet contemplation with it as the only sound in the room, and still, at the end of the day, not unlike these planes out the window, Wild Hope soars.

“Extraordinary”, the record’s first single, leads off the twelve song set with liberating exuberance to spare. It succeeds in setting a tone for the record – one of maturity, of waking up and realizing that you DO deserve a place in the sun. This is telling of Moore’s own journey, which echoes that of most (if not all) twentysomethings. Growing up is hard to do, and harder still, is choosing to strike out on a different, less comfortable road. Eschewing the bubblegum pop of her yesterdays (anyone remember “Candy”?), Moore has grabbed full rein of her artistic compass and brought forth an intelligent and profoundly introspective collection of modern pop-folk songs. Think Joni Mitchell meets the best parts of today’s singer-songwriter movement.

Country fans will be pleased to note that our own Lori McKenna (“Stealing Kisses” and “Fireflies”) co-wrote three songs with Moore, including the album’s highlight, “Latest Mistake”. “There is part of me that wants an answer”, Moore croons, “And, part of me that doesn’t want to know / Part of you that I am in love with / And, part that I am willing to let go”. From there, she reminisces about this love, wonders why he’s “driving her away”, and ultimately, warns the guy that one day he’ll realize that losing her was his “latest mistake”.

One of Moore and McKenna’s other collaborations, “Most of Me”, succeeds in a very real, bare bones emotional, sort-of-way. In the second half of the song, when she sings “I expect you to fly from New York to LA / And, land on my doorstep / And, smile at me”, Moore’s voice carries in such a way that you feel like that uninvited guest at dinner. It’s like you’ve stumbled into another couples’ moment and you can’t get out, no matter how hard you try. This is one of the many moments of authenticity that makes Wild Hope sound like a country record. It plays like a conversation, free of the pretense and silliness that so often clutters pop radio. This isn’t empty, meaningless music, that’s for sure!

Elsewhere, “All Good Things” is a sincere farewell, “Few Days Down” is a meditative look at exhaustion, and “Looking Forward To Looking Back” brims with more of that self-confidence found in “Extraordinary”. “Slummin’ In Paradise”, well, let me just say, it has one moment that completely makes the record. Moore sings, “I’m a long way off / But, I’m still around / Sitting on the couch / I’m watching you”. Wow, it’s got a ton of power and pull, allure and, yes, more self-confidence.»

Wild Hope is helmed by a singer clearly at peace with where she’s been and excited about what the future might hold. All in all, it’s a solid effort and entirely admirable. Moore hit this one out of the park.

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.