Customer Reviews

Melodie Crittenden

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have never given a review of anything before, but this CD deserved praise! I, like others, first heard "Broken Road" on Dawson's Creek and watched the rest of the show waiting to find out who sang that amazing song. I bought the CD for that one song, and was quite amazed to find the rest of the CD just as wonderful, if not better. I was even more shocked to hear "With His Arms Wide Open." What a soulful performance of incredibly powerful lyrics. I have shared that song with so many people. I very rarely listen to an entire CD, but as I drive along I put this CD in and never skip a song! I'm looking forward to future productions by Melodie Crittenden!

One day, while I was watching the "Dawson's Creek" episode "Descisions", I heard a gorgeous song that I loved. When I found out Melodie Crittenden sang it, I wanted her CD of course. Little did I know that I would be purchasing the finest CD with the most spectacular songs I've ever heard.

The CD begins with the song "I've Been Waiting For You". This song is upbeat, light-hearted and very fun to sing and dance to. It is about a woman who desires to travel and see the world, but she has been waiting for the right person (who she finds) to experience it with. The slide guitar is superb!

The second song is "Birmingham". If you don't listen to the lyrics, this song can song happy and bright. But the song is really about a woman who leaves her husband after wasting years with him, in search for her promised land. The lyrics are well-written and the beat is great for sad song. Also, there is a take on joy, that there is a chance and to never give up, even when you may feel you've wasted your life.

"This Thing Called Living", the third song, is an inspiring, motivating and uplifting song about a woman who is finally living and doing the things she wants to do. For example, learning golf, watching Mel Gibson movies all night, and playing her guitar. This is one of my ultimate favorite songs ever.

The most well-known song and reason that I bought this CD, "Broken Road", is a classic love song about a woman who's dreams and ex-boyfriends led her down the blessed broken road, straight to the person she loves. The lyrics are wonderful, the vocals are superlative, and the music is exquisite. I even began practicing singing this song before I had the CD!

The fifth song, "I Should've Known" is not a personal favorite of mine, but is enjoyable nonetheless. It is about a woman who has had doubts about her love, but realizes that the person has never let her down before.

"If This Ain't Love" is an exceptional song with meaningful lyrics. It is about a woman who is looking for a person to spend forever with, but she knows that her current love is just infatuation.

The seventh song, "Chains Around My Heart", is a poignant and beautiful song about a woman who is in prison. The part you have to think about is that she may be locked away in a real penitentary or maybe she just feels trapped with herself and it is a metaphor. Melodie's voice is very powerful on this song.

"Never Underestimate a Bored Housewife" is an upbeat, amusing song with a defininate southern twang to it. It is very fun to sing and dance to. It is about a housewife who is irate and leaves the house, only to come across an Indian man and a cheap motel. Yet, this is a merit to her, fore she becomes famous with a best-selling book called "Husbands, Trains, and Indian Stuff". The first couple of times my mother and I listened to it, she laughed, even though she is not a housewife. And I am a teenager, and I love it, so it is fun for anyone. In fact my father, who is a musician, even wants to sing it for a guy's take on it!

The ninth song, "You Make Me Crazy", is absolutely perfect! It should have been a #1 hit! It has a fast tempo and is a fun, free, light-hearted love song. It's about how love can make you crazy, of course. The lyrics are great and there is an instrumental break in the middle of the song which is perfect to dance to. I love singing this song, but some of the high notes still are hard to reach. But I've got to learn, fore it is quite possibly my favorite song!

To conclude this remarkable CD is a slow, beautiful song called "With His Arms Wide Open". It tells the tale of Jesus, without ever saying his name. The lyrics are filled with meaning and intensity. You can tell, even though Melodie did not write this song, how much she believes in God. Gives me chills!

So in closure, this CD, in my opinion, is the best CD ever. For any person who cherishes fine music, this is for you. If you have passion for country music, even better! I am still trying to find an artist who has as great lyrics or a voice as Melodie Crittenden. I have learned the lyrics to all her songs and will continue to sing them. This CD is highly recommended for anyone!

The best-known song in this collection is, of course, Broken road - it was featured in Dawson's creek and it is a great song. Yet there is much more to this album than just that song.

Co-producer Byron Gallimore has worked with some of the biggest names in the business including Tim McGraw and Jo Dee Messina. As a production, this could be described as typical of Byron - generally upbeat, with the bright production making even the occasional sad song sound less sad than it might otherwise. The songs are actually quite varied - everything from sad (Birmingham) to happy (I've been waiting for you) to amusing (Never underestimate a bored housewife).

It seems that this album, one of the better contemporary country albums of its time, was not given the airplay it deserved, therefore did not sell. Fortunately, Melodie has managed to get other work in the music business to keep her busy and it seems (as I write this) that a new album in a different style will eventually be released.

If you enjoy contemporary (1998) country, you should enjoy this, especially if you've heard and enjoyed Broken road.

A monster record that country radio ignored.There are so many hits on this album that will,unfortunately,wind up being hits for other people.But nobody will do them like Melodie. She can go from soft ballad to upbeat attitude to power gospel and be totally convincing on all. I dont care if you love country or are ambivalent about it---If you love wonderfully crafted pop songs,beautifully produced and mastered,and sung by the most underrated female singer in Nashville,give this a try.PS---although I live in Nashville and am a songwriter, this is a totally unbiased review(She is not a friend and is not related).The CD has simply given me a lot of pleasure.

One of these fine days the WEA machine will recognize a country superstar-in-the-making before the superstar is signed by another label. It's a mystery to me why "You Make Me Crazy" was not a #1 hit. I had the privelege of meeting and hearing Melodie perform with only a few musicians acoustically, just after her album was released and was sure it would take off. However, it got zero airplay and promotion. Shame on the record company. This album is loaded with surprises. As other reviewers have stated, track after track it outdoes itself. Between her talent and "girl-next-door" good looks, Melodie Crittendon should be a major country artist by now. I hope she releases another album soon. I'm her number one fan.

While not a country fan, I spent several months tracking this CD down after hearing 'Broken Road'on "Dawson's Creek" of all places. I was pleasantly surprised with the rest of the album and would recommend it highly. I can't believe her CD hasn't gotten more air time. She deserves it.

This is a good album, an enjoyable listen even for those who aren't big country fans. Melodie has a good, strong, expressive voice with an accent that works very well with the music. Notable songs:

Birmingham - a woman has wasted years with a useless man, but there is hope she may yet find something good in the wider world

Thing Called LIving - upbeat, optimistic tune. The singer is engaging the world and life

I Should Have Known

Never Underestimate a Bored Housewife - kind of amusing song. A housewife is fed up and cuts loose

You Make Me Crazy - one of the few uptempo tunes here

Arms Wide Open - religious ode to Jesus

It is a little upsetting sometimes when such raw and amazing talent goes undiscovered! The vocals of Melodie are something to truly soothe the body, soul, and mind! WONDERFUL! I am so glad she has joined the group SELAH so we can here more from her!

Even though I'm not into country, Melodie has a nice sound and catchy songs. The only reason I can think of why this album isn't big is because it's pretty new.