Customer Reviews

Faith

5 star:		(113)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This album has variety, and the variety keeps my interest. Up tempo, slow tempo, the gospel sound (Somebody Stand Beside Me), a duet (with her husband), several styles of love songs, and a thought provoking look at the secret of life through the eyes of a bartender and two of his bar steadies. I really enjoy all of the songs, especially "The Secret of Life". The song choice and the variety in the songs may be the heart and soul of the album. Each song is so different in style, and this gives Faith the opportunity to show how versatile she is as a singer. She sings with emotion, with heart, with high energy, a story telling style ("The Secret of Life"), and a gospel style. Wonderful delivery on every song! Faith's voice and vocal style could easily allow her to sing mainstream pop (as she does with "This Kiss"), but the solid lyrics and the awesome fiddle work give this listener the distinct impression that he is still listening to "Country Music". This album may differ from her last ("It Matters to Me"), but I believe it is, both, an acceptable and pleasant addition to the country music industry. Another well done and well produced piece of music by Faith Hill and the Gallimore group. It is one of my favorites, and deserves the 5 star rating.

I really like Faith Hill, and I've always been a fan of hers. I purchased this album "Faith" after receiving her newer album "Breathe" for Christmas. I had heard from so many people that "Faith" was a much better album than her newest release. Well, let me start off by saying, that while it is a better album than "Breathe", I still find it to be lacking some of the musical qualities from her older album "It Matters To Me", which I also own. The best song on "Faith" is Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me (w/ Tim McGraw). I absolutely love that song. Other good songs are This Kiss, Love Ain't Like That, and The Secret of Life. However, the rest of the songs on the album weren't that impressive to me. In fact, a few of them were downright boring, and a couple were extremely long and dragged out. Faith has a very pretty voice, but in my opinion, she needs to go back to the music that got her here in the beginning, such as "It Matters to Me" and her debut album. So, if you're interested in buying a Faith Hill album, I personally would recommend that you purchase one of her older albums rather than "Faith" or "Breathe".

In the 1990s, the Country Music began to go through some transitions. Country music which had for the most part stayed in a vacuum began to go mainstream and embrace other genres of music. As a result, the sound started to change. One artist that led this transition was Faith Hill. Faith Hill had previously released two albums, but it was her 1998 breakthrough album "Faith" that helped her break into mainstream music. Surprisingly, while "Faith" did cross-over into the mainstream, there still is a strong country element on this album.

By no means do I consider myself a Country Music expert. The nice thing about "Faith" is that I believe it caters to a fan like myself that may not be deep into Country Music, but can appreciate many of the elements Country Music can bring to the table. While "Faith" could be directed to a more casual fan like myself, I think the collection does an admirable job at addressing the fan who is deeper when it comes to the Country Music genre. Faith Hill brings an interesting formula to this album. Faith's role on the collection is primarily of vocalist. Since she is focused on vocals, she is dependent on a solid cast of characters (musicians and songwriters) to support her effort. On "Faith", this doesn't appear to be a problem. She is surrounded by many top notch studio musicians and is given an oustanding slate of songs to work with. Given this solid infrastructure, Faith is able to provide stellar vocals and produce a great product. The interesting twist to this formula is that Faith Hill is a co-producer on all 12 songs. Therefore she just isn't a "vocalist for hire". She ultimately is deciding what the songs should be and how the final product should sound. This is why "Faith" is a solid collection.

"This Kiss" was the song that made Faith Hill a household name on the mainstream music scene. This was also the song that was my first introduction to Faith Hill. In 1998, I first heard this song on the radio and it completely blew me away. One reason why this song made it into the mainstream arena is that it does have qualities that make it sound like a "pop" song. However, there is a true country element to this song - complete with Steel Guitar and Fiddle (played by Glen Duncan). This instrumentation gives the song a most unique flavor. The song features some very clever and catchy lyrics such as "It's a centrifugal motion; It's perpetual bliss; It's that pivotal moment". The vocals are delivered with a very up-tempo pace (with little rests between the words) and that also contribute to the unique flavor. This song features some great background vocals by Chris Rodriguez (who provides background vocals on several other songs on the album) and Beth Nielson Chapman (who is a co-writer for this song).

At first, upon purchasing "Faith", I expected it would basically be "This Kiss" and not much else. However, after my first listen to this collection - I realized that this was not the case. There were many other terrific songs that are included on this collection. The second song "You Give Me Love" is also pretty catchy. This has much more of a country element on this song. This song is highlighted by some terrific drums and more Fiddle by Glen Duncan.

Although not as catchy a song, "Let Me Let Go" is worth mentioning. The highlight of this particular song is background vocals by Vince Gill. Gill is a master in the domain of steering Country Music toward the mainstream, but not abandoning the Country Music element. This song clearly has a Country Element and it works. This song also features a string section of viola players. The Country Music element is alive and well in the song "Better Days". This song was co-written by former Fleetwood Mac vocalist Billy Burnette. This song also features Duncan's Fiddle.

The Country Music element is also present in the song "My Wild Frontier". This is a powerful and sad song about a woman, who with her family moves into the Canadian Prairie. Tragedy then strikes when the woman's baby son dies in his sleep. This song is a great example of some of how a very well written song is made even better by some very emotional and powerful vocals by Faith.

The best song on the album is "The Secret of Life". This song was co-written by Gretchen Peters, who is a songwriter that worked with Bryan Adams on "On a Day Like Today" and his "Unplugged" album. The song is about exactly what the title says - telling little bits on what "the secret of life is". No loss of a solid country feel in this song - including more great fiddle by Duncan. Simple lyrics like "The Secret of Life is in Sam's Martini" (Sam is a character that is referred to in the song) or "The Secret of Life is a Good Cup of Coffee" give this song a very special quality.

Two other country element songs are that are solid are "Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me" and "The Hard Way". In "Just to Hear You Say You Love Me", Faith does a terrific duet with her husband Tim McGraw. As for "The Hard Way", this is very powerful song (more great Fiddle) and is best described by the lyrics "I Keep Livin and Lovin and Learnin The Hard Way". Finally, "Me" is another good song - this song has more of a pop element and deals with a woman changing who she is.

On a side note, Sheryl Crow is a co-writer of "Somebody Stand By Me". Not a great song, but worth mentioning.

All of the lyrics, studio musicians, songwriting and production credits are listed in the liner notes. This album should appeal to Country Music and Mainstream fans. Highly Recommended.

Ah, Faith Hill, one of the most standout of country's ladies for quite awhile now. This album, 'Faith', began her incredible rise to full fledged pop diva, thanks in no small part to the infectious crossover record 'This Kiss', and the heartbreaking ballad 'Let Me Let Go'. The former of which still notches up a good bit of radio airplay every now and again.
It's obvious with this assortment of songs, that Faith is a pop singer in a country star's body. Alot like Olivia Newton-John, a sweet voiced blonde crossover queen. I don't see why she gets so much flack for it either, the tunes are excellent and the vocals are always perfect.
All the songs on this release prove to be strong, energetic rockers like 'The Secret Of Life', 'Me', and 'The Hard Way' are mixed in with warm ballads like 'You Give Me Love', 'Love Ain't Like That', 'My Wild Frontier', and the Diane Warren penned Tim McGraw duet 'Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me'. My absolute favorite cut is a ballad I mentioned earlier, 'Let Me Let Go'. Such a killer song that one.
The album closes with a tune pulled from the pen of none other than Sheryl Crow called 'Somebody Stand By Me'. The perfect tune to exit with, it leaves you wanting more Faith. If you're really hungry for more, pick-up this album's two smash follow-ups - 'Breathe' and 'Cry'. Both continue taking Faith down a pop road she chartered here, and like this release, they are excellent. Truly the princess of country pop.

This album entertains you from start to finish. Ms. Hill has an excellent voice and the music is very upbeat and well orchestrated. "Just to Here You Say You Love Me" with Tim McGraw is just an outstanding song. "Let Me Let Go" is also a top notch song, and "This Kiss" is very catchy. If you are going to buy an album by Faith Hill, this one is much better than her current album entitled "Breathe."

I'm not a country fan at all and I only of country music because of Shania Twain. However, I heard "Let Me Let Go" on some show and it stayed with me so long that I had to dig it up who sung it. Then, I went to the local library to find this album. I play it on random and "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me" comes on first and from that moment on, I don't think I listened to any other song for weeks except for that song. Best Faith Hill song ever, better than "Breathe" better than "Cry". I bought this CD because of that song.

I bought this album not knowing anything about Faith Hill beyond that the track "This Kiss" was on this album. I still remember listening to this album the first time, I could not stop listening to the songs, as one finished an even better one started. "This Kiss" is a lovely pop song, but there are a number of songs on this album which are great songs, not just great pop or country songs. My personal favourites are "The Secret Of Life" which has wonderful lyrics and melodies, "Love Ain't Like That" , which has lyrics that match the best Beatles love songs, "My Wild Frontier", with its beautiful guitar chords and Faith Hill's aching voice wrapped around it, and "You Give Me Love" , which has a happy, buoyant sound, the kind of thing you listen to on the first day of summer ! Each one of these songs could have been released progressively on future albums, as that album's "star" song. Its incredible that you get all these songs on one album. If you think that country music is boring, maybe this album will change your mind. I'm hoping her next album is just as good.

I purchased this CD today on the strength of "This Kiss" and "Let Me Let Go". As a rock fan, I was slightly skeptical, but I love Shania Twain, so I gave it a shot. I put in the CD player, listened to the whole thing, then proceeded to play it again. Every song on here is exceptional. My Wild Frontier and I Love You both tell wonderful stories, and the rest of the songs are easy to relate to. Ms. Hill is incredibly talented singer who deserves every bit of recognition she gets.

The song "Just say you loveme" with Tim McGraw, shouldbe everyones song if you are in LOVE....This should be the song of the century!And my 3 sons can sing the words to This Kiss....Thanks Faith for singing such great songs!

Faith Hill's third self-titled disc is an amazing CD. Her voice sounds superb on all of them, and each one has great meaning. I highly recommend this disc for everyone, whether you like country or not because it is great for all people. Here is a breakdown of the songs:

01. "This Kiss" ~ I love this song! This was one of the first songs that I ever heard of her's, and it is so amazing. The woman in the song is so in love, and the kiss and chemistry between her and her guy are so great. "It's the way you love me; It's a feeling like this; It's centrifugal motion; It's perpetual bliss; It's that pivotal moment; It's impossible; This kiss, this kiss (unstoppable); This kiss, this kiss". This is a great love song.

02. "You Give Me Love" ~ I love this song! It is a very sweet, slow, romantic song that is perfect for many people. It talks about how this girl is loved so much by her guy even when other things may be and are going wrong or it doesn't seem so. "You turn around, then you ask me behind tears of doubt; Just what do I see in you; Please don't cry; I know sometimes it seems we barely get by; But you don't see how much you do to get me through; When the world is cold, and I need a friend to hold; You give me love, you give me love; And when my hope is gone, and I feel I can't go on; You pick me up; You give me love, you give me love".

03. "Let Me Let Go" ~ This is one of the most beautiful slow songs ever of her's! A relationship is over, but he still has control over her and is part of her because she can't forget him, so she is pleading to forget him. "I thought it was over, baby; We said our goodbyes; But I can't go a day without your face goin' through my mind; In fact, not a single minute passes without you in it; Your voice, your touch, memories of your love; Are with me all of the time; Let me let go, baby; Let me let go; If this is for the best, why are you still in my heart; Are you still in my soul; Let me let go".

04. "Love Ain't Like That" ~ This is a beautiful love song talking about how love takes time and hard work. "You can't buy it at the store, try it on for size, then take it back if it don't feel right; No love, love ain't like that...It don't fall from the sky like a tiny drop of rain; That hits you right between the eyes one day; No love, love ain't like that; You can't put your money down; An' just roll the dice; Think you're gonna win it all some night; No love, love ain't like that; Love ain't that easy to define; You can't build it by design; It takes its own sweet time". A very beautiful song with a great message.

05. "Better Days" ~ This is a very beautiful and inspirational song. The message is very positive, and it's about how you shouldn't get so discouraged because even though you are have difficulties in the present, your future will have better and great days. "Hard times are fallin' on you; Even when you smile, I see the hurt come through; And I know it feels like it's never gonna end; You say nothin's been right for a long time; And every step you take is an uphill clim; I see you're reachin' out, so let me tell you friend; Better days are comin' around; I know you feel like the whole world's gona and let you down; Better day they're comin' for you; I know they will 'cause I'll be right here makin' sure they do; And if your sky ain't lookin' the fairest, there ain't no reason to be embarrassed; Ain't nobody in the world ain't felt the rain from time to time; And just when you think it's all over and done; The nights get easier one by one; So take my hand and hold on tight, and soon you're gonna find...". I love this song and its message.

06. "My Wild Frontier" ~ This is an okay song, but it's also by far the worst song on the disc. A woman feels so alone and has to get through things, but she and her guy are together and are for each other. "How do I feel? Well, I feel so alone; Like a sad armadillo across this desert I roam; I've been stripped down, bare, til I break; Still the wheel keeps turning...And there were highways to get across; And places far from here; And I was his lonesome prairie; And he was my wild frontier".

07. "The Secret Of Life" ~ This is a good song talking about how even though people think there is, there really isn't a secret to life and happiness. "The secret of life is gettin' up early; The secret of life is stayin' up late; The secret of life is try not to hurry; But don't wait, don't wait; The secret of life is a good cup of coffee; The secret of life is keep your eye on the ball; The secret of life is to find the right woman; The secret of life is nothin' at all; Oh, it nothin' at all".

08. "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me" ~ One of my favorite Faith Hill songs ever, as well as one of my favorite duets! This song is pure beauty and a great love/wedding song. It's about how you'd do anything for the person you love just to hear that they love you too. "If I could win your heart; If you'd let me in your heart; I'd be so happy, baby; Just for these arms to be; Holding you close to me; There's nothing in this world I won't try; No limit to what I'd do to make you mine, 'cause; I'd climb right up to the sky; I'd take down the stars; Just to be in your arms, baby; I'd go and capture the moon; That's what I would do; Just to hear you say that you love me; Just to hear you say that you love me".

09. "Me" ~ I love this song so much! It has a very positive message about self-acceptance and accepting others how they are. "Me, that's all I have to give; What you get is what you see, yeah; No second guessing, no pretending; With you, all I ever have to be is me; I can laugh or cry, don't have to hide; The way I feel; Rain or shine, by my side, proving we've got; A love that's real; An old pair of jeans or an evening gown; You still see the same girl that you found".

10. "I Love You" ~ Another beautiful love song about how this girl loves this guy so much, and she wants him to love her also. I highly relate to this song, and I think a lot of other people could too. "I must be crazy now; Maybe I dream too much; But whn I think of you, I long to feel your touch; To whisper in your ear; Words that are old as time; Words only you would hear; If only you were mine; I wish I could go back; To the very first day I saw you; Should've made my move when you looked in my eyes; Cause by now I know that; You'd feel the way that I do; And you'd whisper these words; As you lie here by my side; I love you, please say you love me too; These three words, they could change our lives forever; And I promise you that we will always be together; Till the end of time".

11. "The Hard Way" ~ This is a good song about how this woman really loves this man even though he isn't good to or for her, and that makes her life hard. "I hear every word they say; They tell me to stay away; They say I'm better off without you, baby; You've caused me nothing but pain; Heartache's your middle name; But seems I never see it coming; I'll just admit it baby; You really drive me crazy; Let go of my heart; Cause every time you're near me; I can't think clearly; Defenses fall apart; I keep livin' and lovin' and learnin' the hard way; You're the hardest lesson, baby, of my life; I keep livin' and lovin' and learnin' the hard way; Someday, baby, I will get it right".

12. "Somebody Stand By Me" ~ This is another beautiful and highly-relatable song about how this person feels so alone but wants somebody to stand by them and support them one day. "I've been this alone for so long; I'm beginning to wonder why; I stand in one place; Different name, different face; But no one's gonna see me break down and cry; Won't somebody stand by me; Stand by me just one time; Won't somebody stand by me; Stand by me just one time". This is a beautiful song about needing support, especially when all alone.

Overall, this is an terrific collection of beautiful inspirational and love songs matched with an exquisite voice. I highly recommend this disc for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or preferred type of music. I believe everyone would enjoy this music, and the songs are all highly relatable and easy to get into.