Customer Reviews

Shine

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As a long time Martina fan, I am absolutely loving this album more and more each time I listen to it. The songs on here are amazing but it is Martina's vocals that of course makes the song. But it isnt just her voice, it is the emotion she puts into her songs that makes you feel that same emotion. For example, on the song Lies, Martina's voice just gives you chills with the way she delivers this very powerful song. But then goes to Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong with a very cool and edgy sound. Then there is What Do I Have to Do- awesome period. Walk Away- there is just something great about this song-you have to hear it for yourself to see what I am saying.I'm Trying-that has to be the saddest song yet with an uplifting message. Wild Rebel Rose- be careful as you may tear up. I Just Call You Mine is a very sweet love song but not overly sweet. You're Not Leaving Me- GREAT SONG!!! Of course her hit single Ride, Sunny Side Up-just a fun and cool upbeat song!..I know as I said I am a long time Martina fan, but really I couldnt find a weak song in the list. I left out Dont Cost a Dime-just another great song on this amazing album. I highly recommend this album to new Martina fans!!!

Martina has an amazing voice, which should come as no surprise to her many fans. Once again she delivers 100% quality in this album. Angels have wings...or beautiful voices. This is a keeper and might be a good first album for music lovers interested in today's finest country.

i'm from austria where no one hears country music. some singers got a little bit of fame (faith hill, leann rimes), but no one knows martina mcbride. i hope this will change with this record. i have every cd from martina and she gets better and better (which is almost unthinkable, because every record from her is great!)

Shine is Martina's 10th album to date and she just keeps on getting better and better!
This album has a lot of electric guitars that really give it a great pop/rock sound.
It includes the current hit Ride which Martina belts out perfectly.Other catchy uptempos include Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong,Sunny Side Up and the edgy You're Not Leaving Me.
Of course there's also some ballads like the beautiful I Just Call You Mine and Lies.She sounds amazing on these.It also wouldn't be a Martina McBride album if there wasn't an 'issue' song included.The haunting Wild Rebel Rose deals with abuse.
One of the things that is fantastic about this album is how much Martina has experimented vocally.She's sounding better than ever!Walk Away and I'm Trying are just two examples of this.
If you like her older albums like Evolution and Emotion,you're going to love Shine.Definitely one of Martina's strongest work yet.Highly recommended!

Shine by Martina McBride features Martina in her natural element, singing her heart out on these ballads and never faltering--not one inch! Martina McBride is clearly one of the best female country singers we have these days; and this CD proves it. The quality of the sound is excellent and that artwork is beautiful.

"Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong" has some stunning key changes to make this ballad a very strong beginning for this album. The song encourages a woman who has lost her man to pick up the pieces and move on so that she can find another man--terrific! Martina never sounded better; and her excellent diction bolsters her performance all the more. I love to hear Martina sing songs as good as this. "Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong" is easily a highlight of this album; and listen also for ""I Just Call You Mine." "I Just Call You Mine" slows down the tempo a bit and Martina sings this with all her heart and soul. I'm impressed! The guitars work wonders for this ballad; but wisely the music never steals the show from Martina--she remains squarely front and center, right where she belongs!

"Sunny Side Up" has a catchy melody to it that really gets my feet tapping to the beat; what a number this is! "Sunny Side Up," with its lyrics about a woman who's enjoying life, has Martina singing this to perfection--and beyond! She truly gives blood to make numbers like "Sunny Side Up" very special. In addition, "Walk Away" delves into a woman's feelings when a love affair is over; and this is all very well done.

"What Do I Have To Do" has a lush musical arrangement that uses the guitar and percussion very well; Martina McBride performs this with panache. "What Do I Have To Do" is also a major highlight of this CD; and I also enjoy hearing Martina sing "Don't Cost A Dime." "Don't Cost A Dime," to my mind, is a perfect example of high quality control country music; and Martina shows yet again she's got the chops to sing it, too. It's also a great song about how true love can get people through the toughest of times.

"Ride" deserves the attention it receives; and just one listen will tell you why. "Ride" shines brighter than silver and gold put together when Martina McBride delivers this with all the style of the rather accomplished artist that she is. "You're Not Leaving Me" has quite a catchy beat as Martina belts this out; and the album ends so very well with Martina McBride performing "Lies." "Lies" explores a woman's feelings after her man has left her; this ballad moves me with its natural beauty and that's grand. "Lies" makes a strong ending for this CD; and it will leave you wanting more.

Martina McBride hasn't earned her incredible reputation for nothing. She deserves all the praise she gets and then some! This is a fine album for Martina's fans; and anyone who appreciates fine country music will want this CD in their music collection.

Great job, Martina! Thank you!

Prime Cuts: I Just Call You Mine, Walk Away, Lies

"Shine" is Martina McBride's 10th studio album for RCA Nashville Records. Such is a fleet almost unheard of in an industry that is infamous to toss an artist to the sidewalk after a misfired single. So what is McBride's secret for her longevity? Unlike some who depend on the latest gimmick, McBride is a bona fide singer. Arguably few females could belt out a note to soaring heights yet possess the glowing passion when she croons with her lower registers like McBride. Unfortunately, over the years, McBride has had her ups and downs, at times she had not been served by songs deserving of her vocal prowess. Thankfully, for "Shine" she has the acuity to team with co-producer Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Dixie Chicks & LeAnn Rimes) in securing some of the more sturdy and melodious tunes coming from the ever-faithful Music Row scribes such as Ty Lacy, Brett and Brad Warren, Jason Sellers, Tia Sillers, and Robert Ellis Orrall.

Don't let the clumsy title fool you, "Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong" is perfect album opener--its sunny pop-country disposition over an overtly sing-a-long melody is a sure fire summer hit bolstered by the song's message of ever seeing the silver lining in every cloud. While many female artists have fallen into the trite guy-bashing songs, McBride puts her man on a heavenly pedestal on the gorgeous ballad "I Just Call You Mine." Continuing on the balladry stream is the modern pop heartbreaker "Walk Away;" listen to how McBride starts off slow before soaring vocally to the lofty and grandeur heights. Just like "Love Land" from her last CD, "Lies" is piano-driven album closer where McBride deals with her knotty relationships with perspicuity in a heartfelt way.

With a portfolio of songs dealing with social issues, "Shine" has its share. "Wild Rebel Rose," with a slight touch of rustic banjo-led bluegrass, deals with child abuse. McBride has a way of taking taboo topics and dress them with an engaging storyline that makes you listen all the way through not only with our ears but our hearts as well. Perhaps one of the moving moments come when McBride croons with tear-stained delivery the folky "I'm Trying" -- this time dealing with the destructiveness of alcoholism. However, not all her "message" songs work: lead single "Ride" a busy jaunty piece is truckload full of New Age gibberish: "Faith is believing you can close your eyes and touch the sky/To shine while you have the chance to shine/Laugh even when you want to cry." Collaroy to the shine theme is "Sunnyside Up," another pop-country barn burner that tries too hard to be a radio darling without the substance.

Despite a few quibbles, what's most rewarding about "Shine" is that each of the songs are different yet they all cohere together via McBride's ever powerful vocals. After all these years, McBride still is a singer's singer. She's a truly gift to music; she uses her vocal range well and on the whole the songs on "Shine" does allow her to glow with affection.

"Come'on now, everyone falls down, everyone crawls now and then...cry if you want to; that's what we all do...but if you think you'll never go on, you're wrong baby wrong..."
What a great way to open an album. I LOVE this song. It sang in my head for days on end, and lifted me up from little frustrations now and then. Just lovely. And this is just one of the many other amazing songs in this album. McBride's the true artist--she sings like she means it and you believe every word in every song she sings, be it happy, sad, angry, or just plain wonderin' about the world. Lovely. I highly recommend this album to any music lover. Don't be limited by the 'country' label--you don't need to love country music to love Martina McBride.

Martina is such a great performer. I was fortunate enough to have been at her taping for the Oprah Winfrey show on 10-12-09 at the State Fair of Texas and she was so friendly to the crowd and during the practice run and the actual taping she was GREAT. Her voice is so on point that you would think you were listening to a CD quality track but it was actually a live performance. Two big thumbs up to Martina and her talent.

Enjoying the CD tremendously. Arrived very quickly and in excellent condition. Thanks to the Seller and Amazon for making it easy, fast, and such a great experience.

typical strong performance of meaningful songs that reach me in many ways. Big voice for a little lady!