Customer Reviews

Waking Up Laughing

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

So many negative reviews. "Oh, the songs aren't as good as her old songs. Oh, she's too loud. Oh, it's over-produced. Oh, Oh, Oh." Give me a BREAK. It's 41 minutes of a voice belonging to a woman so gifted that I've just got to sit here and laugh at the cheap shots showing up in these reviews. The first track..."If I Had Your Name"...a perfect opener, catchy, perfect windows-rolled-down, volume-turned-up road music. "Cry Cry (Till The Sun Shines)"...sort of a Martina-Meets-Mellencamp heartland rocker. "Tryin' To Find A Reason"...a nice, tranquil track. "For These Times"...another track that balances subtlety with power. She's got a powerful voice, folks, and she uses it. Why wouldn't she? "Anyway"...sweet, sad, heartfelt, one of her originals (written with Brad and Brett Warren), and a word or two for her critics: "You can pour your soul out singin' a song you believe in, that tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang...sing it anyway." Touche. "How I Feel"...OK, maybe this one got a little over-produced. Her recent live performance of it on the April 4th "Imus In The Morning" show (yes, the same day he said the words that ended his career) was more streamlined and organic, but it's still a killer track with vocals and and overall vibe very reminiscent of Rosanne Cash. "I'll Still Be Me"...more fragile emotion and nuance for the people who say that this album is lacking in nuance. Here, Martina brings her voice down to a whisper as she sings about being "a normal girl from Small Town, Nowhere." The next track, "Beautiful Again," gets a little bluegrass-twangy and sounds like it's aiming for heavy radio play. "Everybody Does" is another stylistic nod to Roseanne Cash (it's particularly reminiscent of her electric guitar-driven work with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers on "Rhythm & Romance"). "House Of A Thousand Dreams" lowers the volume again and is another Mellencamp-style "working man with broken dreams" song. The closing track, "Love Land," could have come from the pen of Don Henley. Flip the gender in the lyrics and it's a page right out of his book. So there you have it...I don't know what the fuss is all about. Maybe some people feel disappointed by this album, but I'm not one of them.

It was a long time coming, but Martina McBride finally puts her previously unutilized song-writing skills to good use for three tracks on album number nine, which she also produced. Two of these tracks are straight-up single material - the already released "Anyway", followed closely on the album by "How I Feel". The third is "Beautiful Again", a real tear jerker of a song, dealing with broken homes, abuse, and single parenthood, but which shows that it's possible to focus on the positive and move on.

Tracks to listen for include the opening song "If I Had Your Name" (listen for the guitars and violins); "Tryin' To Find a Reason", a breaking-up ballad featuring Keith Urban; "I'll Still Be Me", a poignant song about endless love, and "Love Land" the emotional closing track.

The high point of the album is undoubtedly the song "Anyway", with its motivational lyrics, and chorus that brings to mind the Joan Osbourne hit song "What if God Was One of Us". As she sings on the track - "You can pour your soul out singin' / A song you believe in / That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang / Sing it anyway / Yeah sing it anyway". If she keeps singing them like this, I don't think she'll have to worry about being forgotten in a hurry.

The other single "How I Feel" is also an excellent track, and has the potential to become a new Christmas song, thanks to the one line that mentions snow on Christmas Eve. (It worked for Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You", didn't it?)

Although many of the songs are inherently sad, most of them show some light at the end of the tunnel, so that by the time you reach the end of the song, you get that tingly warm sensation you feel when something tugs at your heartstrings, and that's a good thing.



Amanda Richards, April 14, 2007

McBride's voice is again so beautiful and she tells all the stories in her song so well. Each one has its own place on the cd. Great.

While I know many fans enjoyed "Timeless", I thought that was a huge waste of Martina's talents. Not to mention, I hate that old formulaic same-same stuff they did back in the day. She made it tolerable to hear, but I'm glad to have her back doing what Martina does best and I enjoy most. I know there are a lot of idiots that come on and trash people just for the sake of trashing people, and normally I don't let it get to me. But one recent reviewer actually had the gall to call this a snoozefest. And I'm skeptical as to whether that reviewer has even heard the album after complaining that Martina screams. Martina has a beautiful voice with an incredible range that she uses both powerfully and softly on this album. In fact, this is her most tender album with beautiful maturity and emotion. The vocals are mastered with terrific warmth and clarity. Anyone reading the review who has ever heard Martina knows to dismiss that review completely. Hopefully someone reading these reviews who isn't as familiar with Martina will see the vast number of positive reviews and also ignore an idiotic review like that.

I recommend listening to this loud enough that you can really hear the vocals, since Martina did a great job with production. She extracts every ounce of emotion in these songs. My favorite track is one that normally I wouldn't like because I don't usually enjoy songs with an irregular tempo. The last track, Love Land, is just beautifully done. It doesn't really rhyme for most of it, and as I mentioned the tempo is very irregular. It's almost like a freestyle poem with music playing in the background. But it's a bittersweet story with an ultimately uplifting message, sung with control and passion. "Anyway" is pure Martina, and is also one of my favorites. There are so many good songs (though at only 11 tracks it's a bit short) that it's easier to pick my LEAST favorite. "Beautiful Again" is still a decent performance, but the music is so not my style, more bluegrass and a little singsongy for my taste. She sings it well, I just can't give it more than 7 out of 10. Every other track for me is 9.5 to 10 out of 10. On her "Martina" album the clunker song was "Reluctant Daughter". Seems even a gifted artist and song selector like Martina takes a misstep once on each album. But this is still a five star album from a 5.5 star performer. Way to go Martina! I hope we get lots of singles from this one.

I have had this CD playing on my computer at work and the first time through I thought, "Uh-Oh." The more it played the more I have started to love it. My favorite song by far is "I'll Still Be Me." That better be a single! I like tracks 7-11 a lot. "Trying to Find A Reason" is a duet with Keith Urban, but I didn't realize it was a duet until I looked inside the cover. Just sounds like a background vocalist, but the song is not bad.

Target's CD has a bonus DVD with it! Very nice!

Once again, Martina has made a great album!!!!....Suprisingly, the first single really doesn't show what the entire album is like...to me, this album has a very organic sound....it's one of those cd's that is perfect for riding in the car with...Every track is good.....My fav's are "If I had Your Name", "Tryin' To Find A Reason, "For These Times", "Anyway", "How I feel", "Everybody Does" and "House Of A Thousand Dreams"....that is not to say the reamining tracks are not good..they are all awesome...I read another review asking where the powerhouse vocals were?!?!...they are still here...just in moderation...i'll be the first to admit i love to hear Martina belt it out on songs like "Broken Wing" and "How Far" which is my fav martina song....but everybody knows that the girl has pipes..she doesn't have to show it on every song...It's also nice to see a different side to her voice..but the power house is still there throughout....just not going as high on notes as she does on others...but again, the album is great...Major kudos to her on solo producing the album...Martina is truly gifted in many aspects of her music..from the vocals, obviously, to the writing and producing..."Waking Up Laughing" is to me the most creative and inventive album she's done and well worth buying!

This is a 5 star release by the Best Voice in the history of
country music....At least in this fan's opinion...

To watch her grow as an artist, as I have, as a performer, which I have
is a joy!!! Now that she is producing her own work I am sure we expect this
quality of work to continue....

When I listen to a new CD and have trouble picking my favorite cut plus the ones I like as singles I know I am listening to really good work!

I have just finished listening to the final track of the latest offering from Martina. Although I am not her biggest fan, this album in my humble opinion is her best work ever. "House Of A Thousand Dreams" takes me back to my childhood and the dreams my parents (both gone now) and I had in our house of dreams. "Tryin To Find A Reason" just speaks to the pain and suffering endured by many young couples today. What can be said about "Love Land", except that its' for everyone in love pregnant and, married or not. "How I Feel", Oh wow, I envision my wife of 48 years and that piece just shouts out to me. "Anyway" This piece just soars and soars, and just highlights the power and range her voice. "I'll Still Be Me"; This song just expresses everything people who have been fortunate enoough to have remained married or together for many years feel about each other.I could go on and on but suffice it to say I can't find one song on this album to critize. Although this is not a "country album" per se; WHO CARES??? This woman has a spectacular voice and a range that will carry her on and someday she will be in the company of the truly great country singers like Dolly Parton and Trisha Yearwood. Way to go Martina

Ed (70 this year)

This is for sure Martina's best cd in a long time. Although "Timeless" (Her 2005 cd) was good, "Waking up Laughing" is classic Martina: pop-country songs done perfectly. Many subjects are reflected in this cd: Marriage, Love, Babies, heartbreak, and the world around us. On "Cry Cry ('Til the Sun shines)" Martina sings about life's hardships, and how we're all trying to get by. The song "I'll Still Be Me" reflects Martina's marriage, and how she strives to continue to be the same person she has always been despite the fame and riches that have come her way. On
"For These Times" Martina talks about how "the sound of someone's hearbreak is a soundbite at the newsbreak", a song that truly shows how our world is now, and how we must all show love for one another. Other songs such as "Beautiful Again" and "Love Land" reflect pregnancy outside of marriage with vastly different outcomes. And heartbreak songs "Tryin' to find a reason" and "Everybody does" show that sometimes you have to just let go, and that everyone hurts at the end of a relationship. Martina sings wonderfully on this cd, and you can hear many hits on this album. This album is a must-have for any Martina fan!

Choice tracks:
Cry, Cry ('till the sun shines)
Tryin' to find a reason
How I feel
I'll still be me
Beautiful Again
Love Land

Wow...this album us great. Martina combines her amazing vocals, her own beliefs, and is very much in charge. I usually like to rate each song (or at least the best ones)
1. If I Had Your Name: This song is alright. Not a personal fave of mine but those who like poppy country will probably enjoy
2. Cry Cry: I like this song, espacially when I am sad.
3. Tryin' To Find A Reason: This song, with Keith Urban in the background, is amazing in my opion. Martina is baring her soul to us and this song emphasizes her vocal power.
4. For These Times: THis is a very uplifiting song which most people will enjoy
5. Anyway: This, the first single, is amazing. True Martina quality!
6.
7. I'll Still Be Me: This song is nice, but not a standout for me. Maybe those older would appreciat it more.
8.Beautiful Again: This song, which deals with child-sexual-abuse and teenage pregnancy, is one of my favorites. Martina is known for her championing of social causes. This song takes a good look at moving on/being beautiful again.
9. Everybody Does: This song is nice. Written by Rachel Proctor, a struggling artist herself, is cute and inspiring
10. House of 1000 Dreams; Very inspirational about overcoming poverty.
11. Love Land: Very interesting and nice song about marriage and children outside of wedlock.
All in all a great album all the way through....a few low points-but when I say low these would be high points on much of the fluff of today. Martina has done an excellent job!!