Comments on: Album Reviews: Martina McBride and “Live at Texas Stadium”

By: Sara

Sara — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:43:40 +0000

Does anyone know what three chords are played in “Trying to find a reason”?

By: Rick F.

Rick F. — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:16:33 +0000

Hey, all I meant was to try and keep it simple. It’s a basic rule of writing. Your sentence was an example of “lyrical complexity.”

It was a drive by shooting, and sorry for that. I’ll keep reading, especially when you guys comment so quickly!

Funk

By: Matt C

Matt C — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:45:41 +0000

Rick, thanks for reading The 9513.

Regarding your comment, the line you reference is at most a statement of fact with an implied reference to one of the things I think about when listening to an album. I tend to weigh lyrics, songwriting and cohesiveness more heavily than arrangement and vocal performance when considering entire albums. That’s just my style. Nonetheless, I acknowledged that Martina’s performance is very strong on many of the cuts and gave the album a good review. It’s a bit of an overreaction to suggest that my reviews should not be taken seriously because of a one-line factual statement (that you appear to agree with) that perhaps contains a subtle suggestion that I value something different.

By: Rick F.

Rick F. — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:09:10 +0000

I just found the website tonight, searching for the Tracy Lawrence song Who Your Friends Are. No trouble finding the song, but I wanted the one with McGraw and Chesney. The only way I found it was a google link to your website and thanks for that.

So, I read a bit and I like very much. I’ll be back and I hope you keep it up. But one suggestion (from a redneck Idaho ‘perfessor’ with one leg in the best of both worlds. In the review above about Martina’s newest CD, Matt C said,

“The change is refreshing, and while the project is not a bastion of lyrical complexity, it contains a pleasant selection of Martina’s typical inspirationals performed with an elegance that has been missing from her recent endeavors.”

Careful there hoss. “Bastion of lyrical complexity?” That kind of twisted hard-sell makes it difficult to take your criticisms serious. Why do we expect lyrical complexity? Just tell us what you think and how it fits in with the rest of what she does.

You guys point out yourself, 70% of Martina’s buyers are women. She’s not singing to us boys, she’s got a message for women who struggle and the women who struggle are usually not struggling for the same reasons a man struggles. She’s saying things to women in a way they hear. It’s working. Guess it’s not about lyrical complexity. And who needs a bastion of anything?

Keep it simple. Most of it is only three chords anyway. It supposed to be simple. I like simple. The voice sets it apart.

I like your website. Keep it up.

Funk

By: Matt C.

Matt C. — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:05:44 +0000

I’ll take Loretta and Dolly over Martina any day, but music of that style and caliber isn’t getting exposure anymore. Radio is dominated by songbirds and Martina is one of the best. I’m not going to hold the fact that music has changed against her. There are several very strong cuts amongst a few “dreck” disappointments on her latest album.

By: The 9513 » Josh Turner Partners With Cracker Barrel And Kenny Chesney Draws On Wide Array Of Songwriters

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:26:55 +0000

[...] McBride’s Waking Up Laughing (reviewed by Matt here) marks the introduction of McBride as a songwriter, although she admits it’s not her first [...]

By: Baron Lane

Baron Lane — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 11:10:06 +0000

I’m with ya Jenna. Martina is just another songbird, like Faith, Shania and Carrie, singing market-tested country-crossover dreck. Loretta and Dolly should perform some interventions.

By: Jenna Vercher

Jenna Vercher — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:03:42 +0000

I wasn’t too impressed with Martina’s new album.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 02:02:18 +0000

I agree that Strait sounded liberated, he had more excitement in his voice and seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself. Great reviews.