Customer Reviews

Achin & Shakin

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Prime Cuts: Drop on By, Homecoming Queen, When It All Goes Down South

If albums were horses, then Bundy's major label debut "Achin' and Shakin'" is a Trojan. Just like the mythical equestrian, this disc housed a myriad of genres drawn intricately from Bundy's colourful background. Drawn initially to dance music as a child, Bundy later became a star at Broadway musicals. Though she had made her splash on shows such as "Hairspray" and "Wicked," her greatest claim to fame is her role in "Legally Blonde: The Musical" where she has even garnered a Tony Award Nomination. Yet, Bundy has never felt constrained to one genre. "Aching' and Shakin'" finds her calling country music home. Even though the moniker "country" is applied to this Mercury Nashville Records debut, lead single "Giddy On Up" has galloped up not only the country charts but also the Billboard dance chart. This makes Bundy the first country female artist to have a debut single charting in these two different terrains. But don't let the lead single misdirect you: "Giddy On Up" is not representative of the entire album. Rather, this CD is a concept recording the two reflective moods associated with love. The "Aching" side of the record is a sultry indulgence into melancholy entanglements of love where Bundy's deep throated contralto has a nostalgic throwback to the times of Tammy Wynette and Lorrie Morgan. On the "Shakin'" side, she dons her Gretchen Wilson outlaw-ish attitude whereby she rocks with a reckless yet seductive charm.

Honestly, the "Aching" side is the better of the two sides. Perhaps her theatrical background is to credited, when she slows down to croon a torch-song, she has a way of reaching deep into her soul to express the ache that is just infectious. "Drop On By," the only song not co-written or written by Bundy, is a sultry modern day equivalent to "Help Me Get Through the Night" where Bundy milks every ounce of longing from this old-school traditional ballad. Revolving around the graphic image of burning up the bed where love was once alive, "Curse This Bed" is one of the most honest heartbreak paeans whereby the frustrations, hurts and anger of a love gone sour are sonically expressed. Even more arresting is the dark "Cigarette" where Bundy considers the vices she could have turned to for comfort on a lonely night instead of a one-night stand, singing, "Should've let my hair down for dancing/Should've wrapped myself in a blanket/Should've been drinkin' just to forget/Should've left my lipstick on a cigarette." Not to be confused with Alabama's hit of the same title, "When It All Goes Down South" a Bundy original, as the title suggests has a down home southern charm that masks the desperate feelings of love's demise. Even more country and imbued with a retro feel is the Tanya Tucker-esque "Homecoming Queen."

Unfortunately, the "Shakin'" side is less uniform with a few hiccups along the way. Lead single "Giddy On Up" despite its yeehaws is essentially a dance number that falls flat due to its stereotypical "giving the cheating dude the boot" message. "Rebound" is a all fired-up rock number with Bundy displaying her more sensual side as she purrs for attention on this desperate number for love. Just when you thought Taylor Swift was pop, take a listen to "Boyfriend?" This time Bundy even does a little rap and it works. Despite the song stretching the word "country" to its max, "Boyfriend?" is so hook laden that it actually is quite infectious. "If You Want My Love" takes on another direction: this time Bundy lands in Gospel territory on a full on Gospel rave up with Bundy accompanied by a full choir. Though it has little to do with country music, it really shows what a versatile artist Bundy is.

Call it a clever marketing ploy or creative artistic genius, "Achin' and Shakin'" is sure to please both camps: those who like their country traditional and those who like a little countrypolitian infringement on their country. And the reason why it works is because of Bundy's background. Her years in dance, Broadway, pop and country give her credibility to sing each track without sounding that she has betrayed any camp. Though not all the songs work, collectively this is an interesting record that is substantive and worthy of causing a stir in today's largely predictable country music.

I've been a fan of Laura Bell Bundy's for a few years now after discovering her through her roles in "Hairspray" and "Legally Blonde" on Broadway. A lot of people assume this is Laura Bell's debut country cd but her cd "Longing for a place already gone" and a Christmas cd have been out for a few years now. But anyway, I was quite excited to learn that after Laura finished her run as Elle in "Legally Blonde", she was heading to Nashville to make another country cd. Here are my thoughts on the cd:

Achin' (the first six songs are slow):

1. Drop on by - 5/5 The second single and a perfect song to play when you have a night alone with someone you like or love. It's my second favorite Achin' song.

2. Curse the Bed - 2/5 a song about how one feels after a break-up. It's probably my least favorite Achin' song and I think it's my least favorite song on the cd.

3. Cigarette - 4/5 Kind of a bluesy song. It's my third favorite Achin' song.

4. Please - 5/5 A song about asking your boyfriend to forgive you after cheating. I love this song. I think it's my favorite song on the whole cd and of course my favorite Achin' song. I love the beat and the lyrics.

5. Homecoming Queen - 4/5 This song has grown on me. At first I didn't really care for it but as I listened to it more, I found myself identifying with it and I end up singing along with it.

6. When It All Goes South - 5/5 About Laura's long distance relationship. A beautiful song and I think it's a great way to end the Achin' themed songs.

Shakin' (up-tempo songs that might get you up and dancing):

7. Giddy On Up - 5/5 The first single. I know that some people are not fond of this song (or the video) but I happened to love it. It's a sassy song and I love singing along (and just maybe doing a little dancing as well). Lines like "I've been through your pockets and smelled your shirts/I don't wear Bath and Body Works" show how creative LBB can be and is what I noticed about her first country cd. It's my second Shakin' song

8. I'm No Good (For Ya Baby) - 3/5 LBB talks the verses and I think it makes the chorus stronger. It's not my favorite Shakin' song but I don't mind it.

9. Rebound - 5/5 It's kind of obvious what the song is about. It's my third favorite Shakin' song.

10. Boyfriend? - 5/5 A song about wanting to call the man that your dating your boyfriend. This is my favorite Shakin' song and my second favorite song on the cd after "Please". The chorus is the best part of the song.

11. If You Want My Love - 4/5 A very upbeat song. The verses parts are not my favorite part to listen to but the chorus is what makes this song amazing.

12. Everybody - 4/5 An positive song and a great album ender.

Overall, I love this cd. I think dividing the cd into two moods is a great idea and not something that is not done that often.I'm really hoping that more people find out how talented Laura Bell Bundy is because I think she deserves the recognition.

This is the first CD by Laura Bell that I have purchased. I love it. I play it over and over while cleaning house. I like the division on it of slow and fast tempo grouped together. When it is ont he slower songs, I do something more relaxing like wash dishes or fold clothes and then when the tempo picks up I move to more active cleaning. I can't stop singing along to the lyrics and was glad the words were included. Great CD.

I LOVE this CD! Great idea to seperate the slow songs (Achin, tracks 1 thru 6) from the fast ones (Shakin, tracks 7 thru 12), that way you can skip to the song sets that fit your mood. Overall very catchey tunes and nice variety of music on the cd. Beautiful liner notes, with lyrics included ... a nice touch. Also a cd that I can listen to with the kiddos in the car, very little questionable language or adult themed lyrics... and they just LOVE track 7 (Giddy on Up), and ask for it to be played over and over again ... I would recommend this cd. Thoroughly enjoying our purchase!

Laura Bell Bundy's "Achin' and Shakin'" is a very solid debut album. It includes 6 songs for the achin' side and 6 songs for the shakin' side. She sounds great on this cd and should have a long career in country music.

I personally loved the slower ballads. The upbeat songs grab you though. I honestly liked every song on there. Drop on By was my favorite! Worth the investment.

This is a terrific CD. I love the well written country songs of "Achin" and the fun country soul side of "Shakin". LBB can sing anything! I cannot stop playing it. She brings a new element to Country music..country soul!! Don't walk but run to buy this great CD!

PEOPLE REALLY GOT TO LISTEN TO THE STORY IN THESE SONGS IN ORDER TO RELATE TO THEM... THEY ARE RITE ON POINT WITH WHAT LIFES TODAY IS ALL ABOUT...THANK YOU LAURA BELL BUNDY FOR EXPERT VOCALS AND LYRICS IN THIS ALBUM!!

Laura Bell Bundy is such a talented actress and singer. She really shows her versatility in her Achin and Shakin CD. I am looking forward to more music from Laura Bell in the future.

ALL GOOD SONGS - SHE HAS A GREAT VOICE - SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS HAVING SINGING THESE SONGS - SOMEONE WHO I SAW ONE OF HER VIDEOS ON THE INTERNET - SOMEONE WHO I NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE - I WOULD BUY MORE OF HER MUSIC.