Make no mistake, this is a pretty good album. That being said, if you are looking for something really diverse, look elsewhere. The song-writing is stellar all around, she depicts the problems of real life quite well, but she wrote way too many songs with that cry-in-your-beer aspect to them, most of them telling a similar story, or just something else on the same theme. There are really a couple of songs like Stipes, Crazy Women or Hungover. The rest all tell good stories, but are really slow. The guitar is mostly great, but not as diverse as I've seen on other albums. She is doing a great job at songwriting and singing, and I feel that with more producing budget, the next album could be even more interesting.
If you are looking for something that goes along the lines of "Stripes", buy the songs individually. There are one or 2 others that could interest you, but the vast majority is slower, way more towards the old country than towards new country. That being said, if you are into slow songs, with wonderful songwriting and great guitar, this is an album to get. But I'm making reviews from the angle of people who prefer modern country, so sadly, the score will reflect this preference choice.
8/10
Repetitive song, the song is all about Jesus and religion. Musically, it's interesting in the beginning, but it quicly gets old. Skip it.
6.5/10
Crazy Women
Great song, the guitar and banjo are great in this one. It becomes repetitive quickly though.
8/10
What'll Keep Me Out of Heaven
To be honest, when I saw the title, I knew what was coming. Flawless song-writing, but really depressing. This is an old country album, not modern country, but still, a lot of songs are just cry-in-your-beer kind of thing. And this is one.
4.5/10
Get High
The guitar is really great in this one... the music arrangement by itself is pretty good to be honest. I don't quite like the lyrics though. It's well-written, but I really don't quite like the whole "sometimes the only way to get by is to get high" thing. I have no problem with people getting high, but advocating it as a problem solver to me is plain wrong.
7.5/10
Hold My Hand
And another slow song. Again, for the fourth time, great song-writing, but the whole depressing thing just isn't my type, and if you are reading this blog called "modern country music reviews", I'll take the guess that it's not your type either.
5/10
Stripes
Now this is the song of the album, at least to me. The whole irony of the "There's no crime of passion worth a crime of fashion" is just awesome. It's a real ear-worm. You'll listen to it 10 times and not get bored. Perhaps one of the best country songs I've heard this year. Musically impressive, lyrics are awesome.
10/10
In Some Corner
It's just another song about the good old guy drinking in the southern town. Nothing to see here, it's a slow song similar to all the others.
6/10
Take a Little Pill
Similar to all the other slow and depressing songs on the album.
5.5/10
Hungover
Alcohol is a recurring theme in this album. This song is good though, it's enjoyable, and the piano adds a lot to it. The guitar fits well also.
7/10
Illegitimate Children
Great song-writing on this one, with the description of how people have "illegitimate children" when drunk, and how they make mistakes. As for the guitar, it's only average to me. The song is really slow, this is definitely old country.
6.5/10
The Day She Got Divorce
Again, song-writing is stellar. This is really old country though. The guitar is nicer, but still, way too slow for me.
6.5/10
Just Like Him
The old country is getting boring to me. This is getting more than depressing.
6/10
6.5/10
The Day She Got Divorce
Again, song-writing is stellar. This is really old country though. The guitar is nicer, but still, way too slow for me.
6.5/10
Just Like Him
The old country is getting boring to me. This is getting more than depressing.
6/10
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