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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as her previous CDs, but still impressive, December 29, 2004
I find it sort of funny that some folks describe some of the music on this album as meaningless, empty crossover country that sounds like a lot of the tunes coming out of Nashville these days. I say this because I am no fan of modern country music, but I love Sara Evans and I can't imagine how anyone could say Sara went on autopilot for most of the second half of this album. Sara has one of the best country voices in the business, and she expresses all sorts of feelings and emotions in everything she sings. I do prefer her earlier albums to this one, but Restless is still one great country CD. There's a good deal of variety in the songs, making each track something fresh and new to be enjoyed.
As usual, she opens with one of the album's strongest tracks. Rockin' Horse is a great song full of inspiring references to making something magical from the scary things life throws at you. It also features Vince Gill providing harmony; while Gill is not one of my favorites, he adds much to this song. Sara follows up with Backseat of a Greyhound Bus; the song's story is a country cliché, the unwed mother escaping her gossiping small town and finding a wonderful new life, but Sara's heartfelt delivery makes this probably the most memorable song on the album. Next up is Restless, a song tinged with Celtic-sounding instrumentation; this song didn't appeal to me all that much at first, largely due to a somewhat odd tempo to the chorus, but I have warmed up to it quite a bit now. I never had any doubts about the next two songs. Niagara is a fantastic love song, the kind of ballad that makes Sara such a truly special singer. Perfect doesn't have the depth of a typical Sara song, but it is the kind of catchy, upbeat song that all but begs for radio play.
I think country artists are pretty much required to include at least one song on each album that deals with longing for someone you broke up with, and Need To Be Next To You ably fills that requirement here. Sara sings this song with great feeling. The only sign of musical autopilot I can detect on this album comes in the song To Be Happy. The lyrics just seem a little simplistic, although the great bridge and chorus do much to offset the weakness of the verses. Tonight is easily the best ballad on the album, and I love this song even more every time I hear it - Sara is truly in her musical element on this one. Things get a little weird with Otis Redding; it has a unique musical style, sort of R&B restrained by country - this one took a while to grow on me but I still look upon it an experiment that need not be repeated on future albums. I Feel It Comin' On puts us back in country territory in terms of sound and message - someone's about to get dumped. I Give In is a strong offering about love vis-à-vis security. Big Cry is a little different, evoking touches of soul and R&B; it's not a bad song, but it really doesn't seem to convey the emotions implied by its title. Finally, of course, there is Suds in the Bucket; this is pure country music and a whole lot of fun to listen to.
A lot of Sara Evans fan may - like me - prefer her earlier albums to this one, but Restless is still a great CD showcasing Sara's unmatched voice. She goes wandering a little bit from the old country tree a couple of times, but those efforts have more positives than negatives. Like any great artist, Sara has to stretch her wings and grow musically. I can't see how anyone who loves music, especially country music, can come away disappointed from this album.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
not "Perfect" but pretty good, July 3, 2004
This isn't Sara Evans' best effort (for that you need to go to her 2000 multi-platinum Born To Fly), but it's a solid album, with a lot of songs that are pleasant and listenable and a few that match the excellence of her previous release. Song By Song:
1. Rocking Horse: Fun, upbeat song about making the best of bad situations, but nothing praticularly exciting. 3/5
2. Backseat of A Greyhound Bus: This is one of the high points of the album, a touching story of a young girl who escapes her confining small town and finds meaning in her life through the birth of her daughter. 5/5
3. Restless: It's an ok song, fine melody, decent lyrics, but it doesn't really do anything for me. 3/5
4. Niagra: A beautiful ballad, Sara really shows the range of her voice on this song, and the lyrics are very moving. 5/5
5. Perfect: A cute song about how love doesn't have to be "perfect" to be good, a nice happy upbeat message, but it's very similar to several other songs on the album. 4/5
6. Need To Be Next To You: Again, sounds kind of similar to other songs. It's decent, but doesn't stand out from the rest of the album. 3/5
7. To Be Happy: Yet another perky upbeat song with a positive message. One or two was ok, but there are too many on this album and they sound too much the same. 3/5
8. Tonight: This is one of the better songs on the album, musically it's slow and smooth, and the lyrics perfectly capture the feeling of desperation and finding comfort in another lonely soul. Her voice is also showcased beautifully. 5/5
9. Otis Redding: This song is another one of the more unique songs on the album. Slow and sensual, it's perfect for "dancin in the kitchen barefoot" 4/5
10. I Feel It Comin On: A fun breakup song, has more of a country sound than the others on the album. 4/5
11. I Give In: My favorite track on the whole album. The lyrics sound like Sara read my mind, though I think most women will relate to lines like "you turn more than the music on/but will you be there by my side at the dawn?". Sara's voice is great here as well, making it truly a standout track. 5/5
12. Big Cry: This is my least favorite song on the album, it sounds like a bad attempt at R&B. 2/5
13. Suds In The Bucket: Another bouncy, fun to listen to song, I believe it's the current single. Nothing to set it apart though. 3/5
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent CD!!!!!, August 21, 2003
Without a doubt, Restless is the best CD that Sara Evans has released. Born to Fly was such an awesome CD that outdoing it would be nearly impossible, but with Restless Sara has managed to do just that. Not only is Restless filled with songs that showcase Sara's versatility as an artist and how much she has grown, but also show her roots and demonstates that she hasn't forgotten where she came from. When you finish listening to the entire CD you're left with an upbeat feeling of hope. Sara has woven that idea of hope and perseverance into nearly every song chosen to be on Restless. Usually, when you buy a CD you have one or two songs that you aren't so hot about, but this isn't the case with Restless. It is hard to choose just one favorite. Some favorites are the upbeat and so true Perfect, Rockin' Horse with Vince Gill on backup, and the moving story of a young girl in Backseat of a Greyhound Bus. Do yourself a favor, buy this CD.
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by Sara Evans 
