Getting Somewhere

Allison Moorer

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 13, 2006)
• Original Release Date: June 13, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sugarhill
• ASIN: B000FFL3B0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,829 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Marriage to Steve Earle (who produced this album) seems to have inspired the musical emancipation of Allison Moorer. Whereas her earliest releases seemed to balance commercial country potential with alt-country attitude, her sixth album achieves a different sort of balance--between fuzztone guitars (which variously recall garage bands, grunge, and Neil Young's work with Crazy Horse) and Beatlesque melodies, hooks, and harmonies. The music would be hard to classify as country, but is difficult to resist. Rather than extending the tradition of Patsy Cline or Dolly Parton, the ebullient propulsion of the opening "Work to Do" and "Fairweather" reminds one more of the Go-Go's and the Bangles. Following the chamber strings and double-tracked vocals that enhance "Where You Are," the intro to "Take It So Hard" pays homage to "Wild Thing," rock at its most primitive. For all of the music's surface catchiness, the writing is some of Moorer's deepest to date, from the bittersweet yearning of "You'll Never Know" and introspective balladry and spiritual refrain of "Hallelujah" to the closing title track's folkish prayer of perseverance. While her soulful singing and Southern accent remain undiminished, the results sound less like a musical progression for Moorer than a fresh start. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Give Allison a break, June 30, 2006

By	S. Davis (Evansville, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a great fan of Allison Moorer, and have been very anxious for her to produce a new CD. My first reaction to her pop-like songs on this CD was disappointment, mainly because I didn't expect them from Allison but also because that's not my favorite style music. Nonetheless, after giving the album a fair chance I find it a wonderful recording. First, Allison performs these pop, or lets just say "happier" songs, VERY well. She is showing that she can perform mainstream music right up there with the very best. I soon found myself enjoying these songs in addition to the rest.

Still, Allison's true calling and where she stands without peer, is her spellbindingly haunting, smooth as liquid gold ballads. No one even comes close to Allison here. Well, "Getting Somewhere" does not neglect this aspect of Allison. In my opinion, "New Years Day" is worth the entire price of this CD. "How She Does it" is wonderful. "Hallelujah" and "Where You Are" are so smooth and beautiful you might be in danger of melting. These are classic Allison Moorer of the highest caliber. Then, Allison ends with her "Getting Somewhere" track. It's pure Allison, a fantastic song. How can any fan of hers deny themselves these tracks? I do not comprehend why other reviewers are disappointed with this album. So Allison tried a few "lite" songs, BIG DEAL. Give her a break! She did them quite well in any case.

Unlike some reviewers, I think the band is the best she's had. I've always thought her other bands were amateurish, although that even lent a bit of it's own charm, and made you realize that Allison is so good she didn't need a great band. The guitar "fuzz tone" is poor, but I'm a guitar freak. One criticism I do have is that the CD does have some muddiness to it. If I didn't buy it for this reason though, I would be the bigger looser.

Allison, thank you very much for this recording effort, and please don't wait so long to make another! Maybe someday, when your heart is finally touched in the right place, you could even record a Christmas album. Your voice would be awesome singing many classics such as "What Child is This", "Silent Night" etc. I'll buy as many as you will sing. Good luck (and God does care for you Allison)!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a Shame, June 20, 2006

By	Harold Billings (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alison has such a lovely voice that it is a shame that it gets so covered up by Steve's production. A rather muddy sound to this -- which may fit Steve's style in some cases, but not in what Allison does best ... which is to let her lyrics work their magic while that beautiful voice is clear and up front. The lyrics are even less clear on this album than has been the case on several of her recent songs.

It takes a lot of listening to get what Allison has to say, and she is an excellent lyricist with some of the most powerful songs in today's country-Americana field. But as one commentator says, she is allowing herself to drift too much towards pop. And that is just not her best metier. Compare the placement of her voice on this album with that of Brandi Carlile on her recent CD. What a shame that Steve did so badly by this wonderful talent.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A change will do you good!, November 11, 2007

By	T. Davis "Tom Davis" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Those country traditionalists wedded to Allison Moorer's old sound will not like the way she's changed upon wedding Steve Earle. But Moorer has never allowed herself to be stuck in or chained to any one musical style, and this transition from alt-country toward a popular sensibility is a superb showcase for her fine songwriting and her magical voice. Give it a try. I love the varied instrumentation she employs as well as the variety of themes she explores. It's definitely a new day for Allison, and this change, in my view, has done her a world of good.