Glimmer

Kim Richey

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 3, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 3, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mercury Nashville
• ASIN: B00000JNNO
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,092 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Kim Richey's first two albums fit, one way or another, into that vague sound called alternative country, but like many other acts in the genre (Old 97's, Wilco), Richey has mostly chosen to leave country behind for the sound of pure pop. Glimmer sounds less like a poppy Steve Earle and more like a barely twangy Fleetwood Mac or Sam Phillips, which would be wonderful except she doesn't pull it off. The problem's not the absence of twang; it's the absence of any pop appeal to do her songs justice. Throughout, producer Hugh Padgham fashions similar arrangements that bury Richey's rich voice and subtle hooks in atmospheric washes: strings that never soar, keyboards that noodle, guitars that jangle prettily--the album seems textureless. Consequently, even gripping songs like "Didn't I," "Hello Old Friend," and "The Way It Never Was" come off disappointingly flat. There are glimmers of insight in these cuts, but they deserved to shine. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Love/Hate Relationship, February 16, 2000

By	K. Hall (Corvallis, Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not only the way to describe a majority of the songs on the album, but the way some fans will feel about this new album. (For those of you who don't know Kim, start with her freshman or sophomore album.) While it's true she's traded in a lot of the country sound that sort of fringed her albums for some McClachanesque riffs, she retains her charm and emotion. Check out "Come Around," for instance. Pop? Yes, but Kim delivers it with the haunting atmosphere it deserves. "Strength in You" borders on what could be called driving country-rock, and "Gravity" is an amazing country-roots ballad once it grows on you.

On the other hand, country/Americana fans may balk at Kim's pop crossover. In some ways, it sounds a little typical of top-40. In other ways, it remains true to Kim's style. Though it didn't have the staying power of "Bitter Sweet" or her self-titled, "Glimmer" has found its way into my CD player again and again.

If this is what it takes to sell, bring it on, Kim. Just please don't become a Faith Hill or Leean Rimes.

*Not* for "pop-country" fans.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of Talent!, April 25, 2000

By	Hoosier Boy "Rockhound" (Muncie, Indiana) - See all my reviews

Kim Richey is, in my opinion, the best female vocalist in music today. Her sweet voice combined with rich, meaningful lyrics and wonderfully tight music gives the listener something to tap their toe to, as well as something to consider. Kim caught me with her debut album. It was playing in a record store and I instantly fell in love with it. As a songwriter, Kim Richey is as sweet as is her voice. Her thought processes take you through thought provoking to cheerful to sad and back to feel good, roll the windows down and drive fast moods so smoothly it will blow your mind. The masterful way she blends minor chords into her songs is beautiful and will hook you if you give it a chance. While Kim's style has changed a bit through her 3 cd's, her voice and writing style tie them together very nicely. In my eclectic 500+ cd collection, these 3 cd's get as much play as any and much more than most! Kim Richey is the best non-charting artist in the music business...lets see if we can change that (the "non-charting" part, that is)!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazon reviewer missed the boat!, November 23, 1999

By	Eric S. (Los Gatos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I heard a Kim Richey song on the radio and, since I had never heard of her, I didn't know which album it was from but I wanted to get it. (Turns out the song was "Come Around".) I got both Bitter Sweet and Glimmer, and listened to Bitter Sweet first. I was pretty disappointed; it was way too twangy country for my taste. So I was doubly surprised by Glimmer - an all-around terrific album. Great vocals, great lyrics, great musical performance. I'm not a big fan of straight pop either, but this one's way up there on my list.