Customer Reviews

Revelation Road

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Shelby Lynne's "Revelation Road" sparkles with originality. As always, Shelby is an expressive singer who embodies her songs and oozes feeling. As a songwriter, each track is strong. Softer songs like "The Thief" also shine, "If I thought a million bucks could make you want to just stand up and walk into my love like before, I'd rob a rich man's diamond mine to make you be my Valentine; Say the word & I'll become a thief." "Woebegone" churns slowly somewhere between country, folk, & rock with a touch of blues, "Should have seen it coming; A crystal ball says it all; When I wake up and see me crying, woe be gone." The midtempo rocker, "Heaven's Only Days Down the Road," is a stunning gem that deals with death as a release from pain, "I've been insane since I was nine, never went to crying, was the fighting kind, load up the gun full of regret; I ain't even pulled the trigger yet." The title track has one of Shelby's best melodies that seems to flow effortlessly with her sparkling vocals crowning the track. This is a wonderful set with charms that keep enhancing with repeated listening. Enjoy!

I've been a fan of this young lady since the beginning in 1989, and have wandered why there are still so many people who don't know who she is. Well, I'll tell you who she is. She is, hands down, the best female singer/songwriter that the Good Lord has given us in this generation. I knew she had something when she brought her first album, "Sunrise" out. Her career has gone in many different directions since then, but I think she has finally found her niche. I say this without hesitation in praising everything that she has done in the past.

Shelby's last album prior to her Christmas album, "Tears, Lies, and Alibis" was the best album by a female singer in 2010. If you haven't purchased it yet do yourself a favor and sit down and enjoy. It's a little more upbeat than "Revelation Road", but stands up against any other album released last year by the so-called singers you hear on the radio. A great, great album. There is not a bad cut on it. With "Revelation Road", Shelby has put together a whole album that is so personal that it reminds me of the way the great Merle Haggard writes. When you listen to him, you're hearing his life story. And, when you listen to "Revelation Road", if you know anything about Shelby, she is telling her life story. She's not afraid to face the ups and downs that she has gone through personally. As a lifelong fan, I have to say that Shelby's voice has gotten crisper and cleaner with the years. She has so much range with her voice that it's nearly hard to believe. And, one last bit of praise. Shelby wrote all of the songs, played all the instruments, and produced the album in her own studio.

If you weren't a fan before "Revelation Road", and you give it chance, you will be a fan. I guarantee it. If you've been a fan, I'm sure after listening to this album Shelby didn't disappoint you. Thank you.

I am a true Shelby Lynn Fan! I love the fact that she takes so much care with the recording of her guitars (it sounds like your head is inside the guitar). But mostly, I just love the songs and the soulful way Shelby sings them. Shelby sings and writes what she wants and I just get to come along for the ride. I suspect there are no Record Company execs telling her what to do and I like that. I listen to her last album, Alibi, at least once every couple of days. The title track just breaks my heart every time I hear it. This new album, Revelation Road does the same thing.

This is my first experience with the talented Shelby Lynne. She has a rich voice and she is also a talented musician. I would recommend this CD to others.

Have come to expect a very high caliber of record from Shelby Lynne over the years, and this latest CD does not disappoint. It is at once fresh but familiar. Her country twang harkens back, for me, to familiar voices of Top 40 Radio in the late 1960s and early 70s. That was a time when FM was still coming into its own and the AM radio knew no difference between country & western and popular music on its airwaves. Shelby's sound here seems to offer up an ode to Bobbie Gentry here and a nod to "The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia" there and winks at the girl-next-door with the small town pluck of a Jeannie C. Riley. All of this works, and works well on this disc. And it works the same way that many of the female inspired moments on the "Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack work as oldie/newer contribution (think Emmylou Harris meets Gillian Welch). Shelby has the uncanny vision of sound to drift between eras; sounding both contemporary and classic (not unlike one of her idols Dusty does to this day). I also found the production to be crystalline. The guitars jangle, the clean drumming drives alone with a warm ease on the ballads and keeps pace, like a Greyhound Bus, on the more up temper numbers, never dominating and always complimenting that special voice. And it is Shelby's majestic voice that takes this fine songwriting and playing to the next level. There is something exhilarating, comforting, and dangerous in that voice. As on earlier album offerings (such as the most brilliant moments on "I Am Shelby Lynne"). That voice can leave you trying to capture your next breath her vocals are that good and awe inspiring. Shelby can channel vintage Aretha or remind us of her sister, Allison, and always seem at home. She also comes across with a bit of a wild side and maybe that is part of the draw as well. We know her families tragic history and her steadfast love for her mother and surviving sibling. Maybe it is that frozen moment that leads her home, time and time again. Home to a time when songs rang true by the countrypolitan giants of yore. When another Lynn (Loretta) or a Charlie Rich or Tammy Wynette and her man ruled the airwaves, and not artists with names like Blake or Antabelum. Her voice is that special a gift. I did not hear a track that Shelby did not seem commited to. This CD leans more towards slower, down tempo tracks, but is never as sleepy sounding as her Springfield tribute (which I wish I could have enjoyed as much as it was intended). All in all Revelation Road is one of the finest undertakings in the Shelby Lynne catalogue. Highly recommended to purveyors of country rock, country pop and pop music.

Lynne hits her stride on this release and no stone is left unturned. You only have to play this disc a couple of times because your mind will have it memorized by then.

An amazing record, an amazing artist!!
This woman gets more emotion into a vocal than anybody else.
Roll on 25th Feb when I see her live for the first time.

Once again Shelby Lynne has given us a great set of tunes.If you're a fan you'll love it.If It's the first time hearing her you'll want more.These songs show us her heart and touch mine.The song, I Want To Go Back...Just lovely!

Shelby Lynne must be one of the most underrated artists in the music biz. She is a national treasure and has so much more going for her than most of the drivel that's out there. This new set of originals is a strong bunch. I was wondering who the other musicians are-it's all Shelby. Could have fooled me. For some reason, the first three songs have doubled vocals or heavy reverb, resulting in a loss of focus, hard to decipher the words, hence the 4 stars. On the rest, the vocal is clear and up-front, that lovely southern accent. Her voice is stronger than ever. This is peak Shelby, get it!

Generally Shelby Lynne is thought of as a not-quite-country, country singer which is probably about right. Here there is a country flavor without the twang. If anything there is a certain folk element to these tunes. Shelby solos on the album with songs mostly relecting on her Alabama upbringing. She also plays all the instruments (mostly guitars), produced and wrote all the songs. Nice and quiet for the most part and well done.