Customer Reviews

Long Island Shores

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As another reviewer has said, "One Moment More" is impossible to follow. And, "Long Island Shores," if compared to the first record, will seem mildly disappointing. However, if you consider this record by itself, you will be nothing but pleased.
First, Mindy Smith has an amazingly sensual, soulful, soothing, and quite powerful voice. Crystal clear, penetrating, almost perfect.
Second, there are some amazing moments on this album. Who can listen to the title track without being immediately gripped by the mystery of mortality. And who can't relate to "Little Devil." Why all the pain in the world? Answer: Us. I could go on.
If you liked the first record, you will like this one as well. Don't compare, just enjoy. Sit back, open a bottle of merlot, stare at the sky and enjoy.

As the editorial review says, Smith has a collection of songs on this release where she may not even make a distinction between love and God. Smith's values on both were deep-rooted in her brilliant debut CD(which still holds up three years later), and her sophomore effort shows she's an artist still of her own creation because of what she feels in her own life experience. Her songs continue to pronounce her beliefs and philosophy that the meaning of God and love are simply defined in any circumstance. Whether she's political in trying to create a union of prayer in "Out Loud," or basking in the absence of the old flame that still tugs at her heart in "You Just Forgot," or seeking religious solitude in "I'm Not the Only One Asking," Smith continues to bring her depth and a sense of peace to every song, and with her sweet, country vocals, prolific songwriting, and soothing guitar, she stands out as a rare talent by offering a lifetime of lessons in twelve, short tracks.

This will not be a survey review describing and critiquing each CD track, though I confess to personally finding such reviews often helpful. I intend only to weigh-in that those whose musical taste is electic or who appreciate country-alt music should strongly consider sampling Mindy Smith's talent. Yes, I think that she is extremely talented. Her voice is pure and sweet vulnerability itself and her songs, while mostly poignant and a little angst-filled, can also be up-tempo and uplifting. Others, fail to fit neatly into either of the above categories but perhaps are a little of each. Take Edge of Love, for example, which is both a love song and a prayer and one of the loveliest songs I've heard in a long time. Just in case you're thinking that Mindy Smith is just another pretty voice, she wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on this CD and her songcraft is excellent. This CD is consistently quite good in every way and if you like this musical genre or are open-minded musically, I think that you will enjoy it very much.

I've loved Mindy Smith's voice from the first time I heard her version of "..Berkley Square" on an album that showcased new talent. I've wished she'd sing a few more standards with that incredibly rich voice of hers.
I love this album...it's quiet and understated in her usual style but few singers today sound as true as she does and as honest.

Mindy Smith's sophmore outing entitled "Long Island Shores" is a respectable offering from this Tennessee based singer-songwriter. It is clear that Mindy is maturing with her lyrics and that she is experimenting with her song form and instrumentation. While this CD does not grab you as quickly as her first CD did, like a fine wine it improves over time. Highlights include the title track Long Island Shores and the innocent, solo guitar and vocal song entitled Miracle. In this world of overproduced, synthetic music, Mindy Smith is a breath of fresh air. I look forward to her contributions for years to come.

Simply a fabulous follow up. Much more than I expected. Beautiful songs, beautiful voice.

Mindy Smith's unique style is definitely an acquired taste. After hearing her haunting cover of "Jolene" a few years ago, I picked up a copy of One Moment More and have been a fan ever since. I'm guilty of being a chronic CD burner, but when Long Island Shores came out, I physically went out and got a copy- and it hasn't left my CD player! For a big fan of Mindy like me, this CD is stunning. The standout tracks are "Out Loud," "Edge of Love," "Please Stay" and the title track. My favorite is probably "Edge of Love" (which was written for Keith Urban)...it has a dreamy and lush sound that echoes "Hurricane" from her debut album.

This album was definitely not a disappointment- I can't wait for her next CD to come out!

Let's face it, Mindy's first CD is one hard act to follow. I admit that at first listening I was not as impressed as I thought I would be, but after repeated listenings I am now a believer. These are great songs, and they DO grow on you. My own opinion is that the best music doesn't always hit you immediately and obviously. Instead it's more complex and "grows on you". I especially enjoyed her duet with Buddy (the lead guitar guy) on "What if the World Stops Turning".

By the way, my wife and kids LOVE Mindy Smith, and so do I!

I think "One Moment More" is one of the best albums I have heard in years. So I knew a follow up would be tough to live up to.

I admit I wasn't thrilled with most of the tracks when I initially heard them. But with a second listen, they really started to grow on me. After all, most of the best music doesn't hit you immediately, it sounds okay at first, but then when you hear it agin, you realize how much you like it.

That's Long Island Shores for you. It's a good follow-up that suggests better things are coming from Mindy. My favorite tracks include Out Loud, Out of Control, the title track, and certainly, Peace of Mind.

I can't praise this album enough. I don't know what the reviewers(the ones who dissed the album) were looking for, but I have both albums and I think this one is as good or better than her first album. Some might argue that this album is more of the same, but in Mindy Smith's case, that is a very good thing. Her vocals are awesome and the lyrics on "Out Loud," "Edge of Love" and "Tennessee" are especially touching. Excellent album!