Breathe

Faith Hill

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 9, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B00002SSRE
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (337 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,818 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

From the suggestive series of photos in the CD's packaging to the aerobicized dance-floor workouts within, Faith Hill refuses to concede an inch of crossover dominance to Shania Twain. Except for a seductive duet with husband Tim McGraw on "Let's Make Love" and an occasional pinch of fiddle or steel guitar, there's little here to characterize Hill as a country artist. As pop, the results range from pretty ("Breathe," "Love Is a Sweet Thing") to pretty slight ("I Got My Baby," "If My Heart Had Wings") to borderline inane ("Bringing Out the Elvis," the voyeuristic twist of "The Way You Love Me"). Though Hill's version of Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall Behind" is admirably understated, too much of the album substitutes surface dazzle for emotional depth. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?, November 26, 1999

By	Paul Brumfield (USA) - See all my reviews

What is wrong with you people? Are we that insecure that we have to categorize EVERYTHING! "Breathe" is not typical country, all I think agree, but it is awesome music filled with so much. Faith has said many times before that she has been inspired by all types of music and that all of these together have shaped her. She said that she would never go out and make a pop album but also could never make a traditional country album. Faith sings what she feels at the time she is working on the album. We cannot judge someone on how they FEEL! She is at an extremely exciting, fun, and happy time in her career and personal life. The songs show that well. Stardom could never ruin such a soulful and grounded person like Faith. She wants to sing what she wants to sing and we can't stop her or anyone else from doing it. So, why can't we just place music only under one category, MUSIC, and just enjoy it! "Breathe" is a must buy for people who want good, soulful, fun, music!

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking ?, August 6, 2000

By	Troy (the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

I'm sure a lot of country music fans were disappointed to see Faith
Hill take such a drastic step away from their favorite musical genre
and her own roots on her latest CD. I for one have always believed
that her voice would be ideally suited to interpret rock music (pardon
the labeling) and welcome her change in style, a gutsy move
considering the unlimited success of her first two (country)
albums. As much as i appreciated catchy tunes like "Wild
one", "Piece of my heart", "Take me as i am"
and "Let's go to Vegas" in the past, i feel this is her most
consistent and mature sounding album so far, delving less
halfheartedly into unfamiliar ground - or should i say "solid
rock" - than fellow crossover artist Shania Twain (who opted for
a more pop oriented approach, despite her pre-recording contract
origins as a melodic rock vocalist). On "Breathe" Faith once
again sings up a storm, set against a background of surprisingly bold
guitar, functional keys and piano. Fiddle and steel guitar on the
other hand are so understated that they might as well have been
omitted, thus virtually eliminating the country element. She is
supported by a host of well-known guest musicians, the ubiquitous Dan
Huff sharing production honors with one Byron Gallimore.

The two
ballads are among the highlights on this album, one of which is the
stunning title track which she performed at the Country Music Awards
ceremony and which is accompanied by a great video. The other of
course is the heartfelt "If i'm not in love". There is a
great deal of radiofriendly material on hand, such as "What's in
it for me", "Love is a sweet thing" and "The way
you love me", but any random pick would in fact make a potential
hit single. The best is saved for last, the album building up to a
climax with superb tracks like "If my heart had wings",
"That's how love moves" and tour de force "There will
come a day". Heaviest track among the 13 is "Bringing out
the Elvis" (kind of bluesy and a lot of fun), on which Faith
pulls out all the stops. Even the obligatory duet (with husband Tim
McGraw), supposedly the closest thing to a country song on the album,
contains some fierce guitar soloing.

The general public around these
parts has been very slow to pick up on Faith Hill's obvious
talents. (Let's face it, she's got star quality written all over her,
and i'm not just referring to that million dollar smile !). Except
for the country & western incrowd few people over here have ever
heard of her "It matters to me" and "Take me as i
am" albums. The overly tame "Faith" struggled in
relative obscurity, "This kiss" being a minor single
success. Shania Twain however achieved megastar status in the
Netherlands thanks to her "Come on over" album and, together
with Dutch sensation Ilse DeLange, is starting to pave the way for an
elect group of country artists such as Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn
Rimes, the Dixie Chicks and the object of this exercise. With the
release of "Breathe" and the forthcoming single of the same
name it looks like we Dutch are finally starting to catch on. Being a
fan of both rock music and Faith Hill's voice i sincerely hope she
continues on her newly chosen course.

55 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not another SHANIA, more like, WHITNEY HOUSTON!, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

"Breathe" is one of the best albums I've bought. It has so much variety. There's country, pop, rock, and gospel. Don't think Faith is just trying to be erased from the country scene. She's just trying to explore more material, and all the songs still have a country "feel." Here are descriptions of all the songs.

1.What's in it for me: A fun song, she shows some powerful vocals, and its definitely good for partying.5stars

2. I got my baby: Sounds like a country song with a little bit of a Motown edge. Also a fun song. (gets stuck to your head fast) 4 1/2 stars

3. Love is a sweet thing: Just some country with flair. 4stars

4. Breathe: my favorite ballad. Her voice gives you a tickle down your spine. I LOVE this song 5stars

5. This is Faith's duet with Tim. Personally, I'm not a big fan of Tim's voice, but the lyrics are very romantic. Pure country. 4stars

6. It will be me: not the best, but worth listening to. 3 1/2stars

7.The way you love me: I really like this song. Keeps you in a cheerful mood. 5stars

8.Very slow song, her vocals really show. 4stars

9. The best fast song on the album. Its so fun to sing along to.5stars baby

10.If my heart had wings: nice mid-tempo song. 4stars

11.If I should fall behind. Pretty ballad and good lyrics. 4 1/2stars

12.The way love moves: One of my favorite songs on the album. Its mid-tempo, her vocals are very powerful and after listening to it, you feel as if you've gone on another planet and back. 5stars

13.The #1 song on the album. Very meaningful lyrics and the most powerful vocals. Its a gospel song and I love any singer that's not ashamed to worship GOD. Her talent really shows on this song. 5stars

This album is really good and her voice proves that she has more talent than Shania Twain. Some songs make you want to sing along and dance, while others give you chills down your spine.