The Background:Martina McBride's illustrious career has produced 22 Top 10 hits, 18 million albums sold, four CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards, three ACM Top Female Vocalist Awards, and a Grammy Award. Since her debut album, she has consistently produced timely and thought provoking music and Shine, continues Martina's musical legacy. The 11-song collection is the first producing collaboration between Dann Huff (Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban) and McBride, and has already spawned a Top 20 smash with 'Ride'.
The Review:
The girl has pipes. That much is a given. Few female artists can belt out a note to soaring heights yet possess the glowing passion when she croons with her lower registers like McBride- no matter what genre of music. She has a who’s who of Nashville songwriters on this album including Ty Lacy, Brett and Brad Warren, Jason Sellers, Tia Sillers, and Robert Ellis Orrall. "Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong" is a solid album opener- consistent with the trademark McBride “positive message” of seeing the silver lining in every cloud. McBride albums are kind of the anti-Jamey Johnson. The next track is the second single sent to radio- McBride puts her man on a pedestal on the beautiful ballad "I Just Call You Mine." Not all her "message" songs work: the lead single "Ride” is loud and too American Idol (meaning it just seems a test in grinding out the top register of her voice.) "Sunnyside Up," is another pop-country tune that tries too hard to be a radio darling without much substance. Therein lies one of the challenges that I have with Martina McBride albums- including Shine. The experience of sitting down and listening to an album versus buying a single off of i-Tunes is richer for all of the varied messages and beliefs that the artist conveys with each song. Somehow, with Martina McBride albums, each song is coated in “life-is-great-with-positive-attitude-we-can-do-anything” sauce. Her albums miss the dark corners that help round out the album as a whole. Or maybe I’m just not that positive- I like the grit and grime of life too much. After all these years, McBride still a wonder to listen to- her voice is the best in the country music industry. She's truly gift to music. And while Shine does have some good- some even very good- moments, a couple songs on the dark side of the force would give this an even higher ranking.
Sounds Like:
Carrie Underwood
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
I Just Call You Mine
Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong
Wild Rebel Rose
The Verdict:
Three Stars Out Of Five
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