Customer Reviews

Thunder & Roses

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At first listen you quickly realize that Pam Tillis has returned to top form on her sixth studio release, Thunder & Roses. Now I'm not saying that her past two releases (All of this Love & Every Time)are bad efforts, as they both have there share of great Pam Tillis classics. However when compared to her best release, Sweetheart's Dance, these releases seem to lack something. I am not going to say that Thunder & Roses is a better release than Sweetheart's Dance, but it's close. However, you can't really compare these two as Thunder & Roses seems to have a more Comtempary Country sound than any album Pam Tillis has ever done. She has never been what you'd call traditional country, but you can definitly tell that this release has more of a cross over sound.

As for the songs, most are top notch, however there are a couple that are a little weaker than the rest. Of the 12 songs on this album, I'd have to say that "Jagged Hearts," "Tryin," "Which Five Years," and the title song "Thunder & Roses" are my favorites. Any one of those songs would made a great single and one should have been the lead off single. Of the remaining song, most are really good however "Space" and "Please" (the lead off single) are the weak links. I'm not saying that I don't like these song, cause I do, but neither one will sell you on this CD if it was the only song you heard nor do they show off Pam's great voice, talent, or her wonderful ability to portray emotions in her voice. I've been hearing that critics have said that Pam has matured and has recorded a collection of songs that reflect this, and while this may be true, people of all ages will love this album

Overall, this is a great album with great songs that will hold up well over the years. If your a Pam Tillis fan, this is a CD to get,it is well worth the three year wait. And if your just discovering Pam Tillis, this is a great start that would only be improved if paired with a copy of her greatest hits disc.

I am not a big fan of Pam Tillis, nor am I a big fan of country pop. That is why I am compelled to tell you that this is a CD full of maturity and intelligence. Gone are the mindless pop ditties of the past like "Cleopatra, Queen of Denial" and "Mi Vida Loca". The sound is fresh and contemporary, and the material deals with the issues that adults face. My favorites are the title song, "Thunder and Roses", "Jagged Hearts", the self-penned "Off-White", and the fun song on the CD, "Space" penned by Grammy nominated songwriter Kim Patton-Johnston. I would be deep in error to not mention the highlight of the CD, the duet with father, Mel Tillis, "Waiting On The Wind" which in itself is deserving of an award. This CD is not for kids. It is not watered down with pop production meant to garner sales; but, it stands as a testament from an artist who has survived everything from drugs and alcohol, a tragic car crash, and divorce, and still comes out on her own two feet. This Grand Old Opry member has come a long way musically. I recommend this collection enthusiastically!!

WOW!!!Pam Tillis seems to be getting better and better with each album she records.This album is her most mature album yet.But it's full of lot's emotions that everyone can relate to. For the most part the album is happy and upbeat but you have your occaisional sad song.And they are sung like only Pam Tillis can.There's even a bonus on the album, It's the last track and it's a Duet with her legendary father Mel.It's something two gernerations of country muisc fans have been waiting to hear and it's just amazing. And if you're a long time fan of Pam's there's another bonus on the album for you as well,Pam co-wrote the song "Off -White".A song about getting married for the second time.And her voice is at it's finest on this one.All though Pam usually has two or three of her songs on her albums "Off-White" is her only self-penned song.Another unquie fact about this album is there were four producers for this one,and for a long time Pam steps down from being a producer or co-producer and puts it into someones else's hands;Billy Joe Walker Jr. who worked with her on "All the Good One's Are Gone",Paul Worley who helped producer her very first country album (Put Yourself In My Place),Kenny Greenberg and Dann Huff. The Title song it's a great description of the album ,Thunder& Roses.At times it's upbeat and dealing with complicated issues, such as, being a single mother.At others it's nice, sweet and deals with simple emotions such as telling your sigificiant other you just need "Sapce". With this album it makes me very anxious to see what the next Pam Tillis album will be like.I'll bet it wil be just as good and probably even better.

This latest album is much more reflective and thoughtfull than Pam's previous efforts. Thunder and Roses is suited for those quite nights by the fire compared to the night on the town feeling of some of her previouse works. I particularly like "If I didn't Love You", "Space" and "Jagged Hearts".

This is not the pure, country beauty that Pam has been known for. It is more polished and includes such lightweight offerings as "Space" and "I Smile". The most glaring miscue is the R&B sounding "Be a Man". It is about half a great album. Some tracks are the cleaver, country gems that you love to hear from Pam. "Which Five Years" is as outstanding as any song that she has ever done. My mother liked this album better than I did.

This is such a good cd, I love pam tilis music, but the last few album's everytime and all of this love were medicore at best and pam has not shined liked this since sweetheart's dance one of if not the very best country music album ever released. The album even has a duet with mel tilis and every song is great something that does'nt happen much anymore in country music or any genre for that matter.This is must buy cd and any fan of good music owe's it to themselve's buy this cd.

Pam Tillis has had a plethora of hits since entering the scene in the early 90's, but rarely manages to put together an overall seamless album, the exceptions being '92's HOMEWARD LOOKING ANGEL and '94's SWEETHEART'S DANCE. Her later albums have been slightly uneven, featuring some good songs, but not a consistently overall great record. The pattern unfortunately continues with THUNDER AND ROSES, which manages to update her sound by adding pop production sheen in an effort to compete in the current market. First single 'Please' is decent, and she manages to better Tina Arena's 'If I Didn't Love You'. The rest of the album is sorta just there, nicely put together but nothing that reaches out and grabs you.

I have been waiting this CD for a few months now and was at the store at 8am this morning to buy it!! This is one of her most powerful and explosive albums to date! While her last album was toned down in terms of production, this new album is heavy on production and she sings each song in her trademark sweetness of a voice!!! Every song is incredible and I reccomend this to anyone who is already a fan and also anyone who wants to hear a great contemporary country album! The highlights of the album to me were ALL OF THEM! I could not pick a favorite. Many issues are dealt with ranging from another attempt at marriage in OFF WHITE to aging gracefully and bravely in WHICH FIVE YEARS.....to a song by Australian songwriter and singer Tina Arena on IF I DIDN'T LOVE YOU! Tina Arena is an awesome singer by the way and songwriter=) Then a real gem at the end is the 1st recorded duet with her father MEL TILLIS on WAITING ON THE WIND!! A winner of an album all the way through!

Pam Tillis seemed to hit a rut for a while, this trend continued with her 2001 album THUNDER & ROSES. It's all touch and go basically. The album has a more polished, adult sound, than any of her other albums. While she shines on some tracks, others sound out of place. The title track, originaly done by Mindy McCready, is an emotional song she handles well. The highlight of the album however is the only song she helped pen "Off-White", a song about getting married for a second time, beautiful song. She also covers Tina Arena's "If I Didn't Love You" with a well rounded performance. There's also the duet with her father, Mel Tillis, on "Waitin On The Wind", fans have been waiting for that one for a while! Other highlights include "Which Five Years", "Please", "Jagged Hearts", but I didn't really enjoy "I'm Tryin", "Space", or "Be A Man", they seemed out of place to me. Overall Tillis fans should be pleased but its far from her best, but still worth it to hear some tracks.

Here in South Africa we don't have any country music on the radio.The only way to find country music is to search the internet and then order it. I am not taken into any direction by the radio and only hear the country that I have on CD.
"Thunder and Roses" is one of the cd's i listen to the most.
The best tracks are Space, Tryin' and I Smile but the others are just as good. I'm looking forward to the CD from Pam Tills of her father Mel Tillis's songs and will buy it.