Forgive

Rebecca Lynn Howard

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 10, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Nashville
• ASIN: B00006AVEZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #80,226 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Rebecca Lynn Howard's impressive debut positioned the Eastern Kentucky native as both a Patty Loveless acolyte and a formidable songwriter, contributing "I Don't Paint Myself into Corners" to the Trisha Yearwood songbook. Now comes her follow-up, which makes concessions to country's increasing inclination toward pure pop, even as it also includes some of the staunchest hillbilly music to come out of Nashville in years. "Jesus and Bartenders," Larry Cordle and Leslie Satcher's exquisite honky-tonk paean to both, weighs in as the album's biggest throwback to True Country, while Howard's own "It Didn't Look Like Alcohol," a poignant song of a man's struggle with unseen demons, comes in a close second. These exceptionally well crafted tunes seem even more extraordinary when bumped up against such forgettable pop as "Life Had Other Plans" and "Memorized." But the big-voiced Howard builds a bridge between the two styles on the title song, in which a wife reels from her husband's confession of infidelity. More than any other recent album, Forgive epitomizes country's current schizophrenia. There's no question which format will burn in your memory, even if it's the other that will likely make Rebecca Lynn Howard a star. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!, September 16, 2002

By	Deanna (Maryland) - See all my reviews

I purchased Rebecca Lynn Howard's sophomore release based on the fact that I loved the song "Forgive." I had never even heard of her prior to listening to that song. It's honestly one of the best albums I've bought recently. There's not a song on here I don't enjoy, which is rare, because there's usually at least one song on an album I don't like. Rebecca has a very powerful voice that shines on songs like "Memorized," "This Love" and the title track. She also co-wrote seven of the songs on here, which always make me appreciate a singer's work more.

Fantastic harmonies, lovely melodies and fun, toe-tapping songs make "Forgive" a must have album for country fans! Below is a brief summary of each song on the CD.

1. "Beautiful To You"- An upbeat song about a girl saying she's happy as can be since she is beautiful to her boyfriend.

2. "Dancin' in God's Country"- A pure country tune!

3. "It Didn't Look Like Alcohol"- A song about a man struggling with his life.

4. "Life Had Other Plans"- A song about plans not happening and then realizing that maybe life has other ideas for you.

5. "Forgive"- Rebecca's first hit single about a woman's husband admitting that he's been cheating and him asking for her forgiveness. Faith Hill was supposed to record this song.

6. "It's My Job To Fall"- A beautiful song about being there for someone who's had somebody walk out on them.

7. "Jesus and Bartenders"- An amusing song about a similarity that Jesus and bartenders share ("They hear things that men don't tell their wives/Sinful secrets whiskey brings to light/One man offers comfort from the cross/The other only comfort on the rocks").

8. "This Love"- A gorgeous ballad about being in a perfect, fairy tale-like relationship.

9. "When Did You Ever Listen To Me"- A song about a woman saying she's planning on leaving her man because he has never listened to her.

10. "Memorized"- A melancholy song about a lost love and how she's memorized everything about him.

11. "Pink Flamingo Kind of Love"- A fun, lighthearted tune about a simple life.

12. "Softly and Tenderly"- A traditional religious song. Very pretty!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The little lady with a BIG voice, January 25, 2003

By	K. Stuckey "kateling" (Port Huron, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After overcoming what seems like insurmountable odds, Rebecca Lynn Howard has 'made it'. Her new CD shows her vocal chops, alongside her already well-established writing skills.

The songs on this CD range from the fun, pop-oriented "Beautiful to You" to the powerful first single "Forgive" and the award-winning gospel "Soft and Tenderly". Also "It Didn't Look like Alcohol" is a powerful song about one man's battle with the bottle; "Life Had Other Plans For Me" is a positive song about how everything happens for a reason, even if it doesn't make sense at the time; "Pink Flamingo Kind of Love" is an upbeat song about not having a lot of money, but being rich in another way. My favorite song is the toe-tappin' ode to small town life "Dancin' in God's Country", she throws in a couple of great Bob Wills-esque 'a-ha's.

Skip Shania, forget Faith, reach for Rebecca Lynn Howard's CD in the store!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Sophomore Set, September 23, 2002

By	J. M. Zuurbier (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Rebecca Lynn Howard returns with her sophomore effort FORGIVE which is a unique blend of traditional country mixed with contemporary country. The title track and first single is one of the summer's hottest ballads in country music, showing her range, a song about discovering a lovers betrayal and trying to cope with the pain. "Beautiful To You" opens up the album, a good uptempo number with cool instrumentation, a song about feeling beautiful because you're loved. "It's My Job To Fall" is a definate highlight on this CD, a beautiful ballad. Same goes for the strong ballad "Memorized" about a lost love, but still remembering everything because it was memorized. "This Love" sports some great vocals, and "Pink Flamingo Kind of Love" is a fun upbeat number with catchy lyrics and a killer backing track. Other highlights include the traditional "Jesus and Bartenders", the ballad "When Did You Ever Listen To me" and the closing "Softly and Tenderly". Overall this is a well rounded effort that deserves more than a few listens.