Disco de Trisha Yearwood: “Inside Out”

I am a huge fan of her music. I have every CD she has ever released since she started back in the late '80's. This CD, in my opinion, is "ok". "I Would've Loved You Anyway" is traditional Trisha Yearwood...wide range of tones, love song with a yearning harmony. "Inside Out" is with Don Henly and an upbeat song. "I Don't Paint Myself into Corners Anymore" is my personal favorite that is a slower song of love lost and the regain of one's own self. Other than these particular songs, I don't wish to put the CD in the player. I cannot help but still wait for her to release solid country that she is capable of like on her very first album. She is heading toward adult contemporary/pop...which is ok...but unfortunately, that leaves country music behind. If you are more of a country/contemporary fan than you will surely like this album. There is no steel guitar, banjo, fiddle or country feeling to any of the songs on the album.

After buying "Real Live Woman" on a whim after the 2000 Grammys, I became a total Trisha Yearwood fan, completely immersed in her incredible talent and great songs. So when "Inside Out" was released, I went and purchased it right away to see what Trisha came up with to follow such an amazing album. She didn't disappoint me.

This album, for me, is not up to par with "Real Live Woman," but I think that's an unfair standard for any artist. "Inside Out" is a pretty impressive effort by its own right, and Trisha provides some pretty thrilling vocal moments. "Love Alone" and "I Don't Paint Myself Into Corners" prove Trisha can belt with the best of the industry. "Corners" is one of my favorite Yearwood tracks, ranking up there with "Down on My Knees," "You Can Sleep While I Drive," and "Hearts in Armor." It's so powerfully written and so beautifully performed. "Melancholy Blue" was another favorite and vintage Trisha. She really knows how to tug at someone's heartstrings!

The title cut was surprisingly energetic and while I expected Don Henley to take a more active role in the vocals, I still think this pairing is pretty dynamite. "Love Let Go" grew on me after many spins and "Love Me Or Leave Me Alone" is incredibly catchy. "For Awhile" had such a wonderful sense of humor; she really shines when she's allowed to get intimate with her listeners.

"Inside Out" is far and away superior to Faith Hill's recent effort "Cry" and Shania Twain's "Up!" especially the latter. It won't enjoy the same commercial success, but I, for one, am glad Trisha doesn't care either.

Give the comparison's a rest! If there is any female that has a voice that combines power, tenderness, and maturity in the country genre, better than Trisha Yearwood's I'd like to hear it. Ok, so Trisha has some pop effects in a few songs - she's still very different than Linda or even Celine. "Inside Out" reminds the fan and average listener why Trisha is so different: "For a While" wonderfully balances humor ("Poor old Coyote...some one had a worse day than me") with beautiful high notes that reflects the way Trisha can comfortably sway through a song like no one else can. Don't compare "I Would Have Loved You Anyway" to Celene - Trisha just happened to find a great song that exposes her outstanding range and ability to sensitively hit you in the heart while carrying a note. Sure Celene can belt it: she can yell - Trisha naturally elevates her voice with a positive feel and actually sings. "Love Me or Leave Me" is another vocal explosion that works. For those of you who appreciate genuine talent with intelligent lyrics and well crafted vocals - don't be fooled by comarisons to pop acts - thankfully, while her latest producer, Mark Bright, adds a few elements in an attempt to make her music acceptable to a new audience, Trisha will never stoop the level of sacrificing great vocals and well-thought out lyrics to make a gushy bubble-gum pop record. A voice with that kind of natural talent, and genuine integrity to the country format (and singing for that matter) deserves a listen. A good long listen.

Inside Out is the latest album from Trisha Yearwood, one of country music's finest performers. The album is a return of sorts. After 2000's Real Live Woman, which was often underrated and overlooked, which was an album with a more edgier country sound, Trisha returns to the music that has made her what she is today. It is almost the sequel to her 1998 album Where Your Road Leads. The album has a lush pop sound. The quality of Trisha's voice does not take away from the simplistic nature of the songs.

Witness the first single, the sweeping ballad I Would've Loved You Anyway. A tender ballad that is reminiscent of a Celine Dion movie song, but in fact its better. Trisha's voice is beautiful and clear. The album features many ballads, such as the reminiscent When We Were Still In Love, a beautiful ballad remembering the time of being in love. Second Chance is an inspiring song about love giving another chance. The upbeat songs like Love Alone, which is a great song to sing along with, give the album some texture as well. The pop sounding Love Me Or Leave Me Alone will for sure be a hit among the crowds.

Overall Inside Out is one of Trisha's best albums, right up there with Everybody Knows and Where Your Road Leads. This album once again demonstrates her ability to choose songs that suit her voice to a T, and songs that demonstrate real emotions and fears that only Trisha's voice could convey in this way.

I'm kinda weird when it comes to music. More than what the song says or how it's produced, it's the quality of the voice that gets my attention. And that's what Trisha's voice is: quality. While her voice isn't huge like La Dion, etc. what makes Trisha's voice is unique is it's power. She has this lush alto voice, of which she is in full command, and always finds the perfect songs to complement it. Instead of trying to write the next "crossover" hit, Trisha's more concerned with producing material which showcases what is truly a God-given gift.

The opening track "Love Alone" is a perfect sonic explanation of Trisha's powerhouse vocals. I can't imagine anyone else having the stamina or control to sing the hell out of this song, the way Trish does. Absoultely wonderful.

The first single, "I Would Have Loved You Anyway" is not the dud that some reviewers want you to think. While it does have more mainstream appeal, this song is actually classic Trisha. As she herself says in her concerts, "If you want happy songs, you're listening to the wrong person." Here, Trisha recalls the emotions that made "How Will I Live" and "The Song Remembers When" so great.

Next is "For Awhile," a surprisingly funny track recalling getting back on the horse after a break-up. The perfect line? "Late at night/I write my own movie/and I am the star when I close my eyes/except I look like Julia Roberts/and you're just the poor jerk that I walk on by." The chorus is one you'll be unconsciously singing for days if you've ever had a relationship go south.

"Seven Year Ache" is a cover of Roseanne Cash's phenomenal hit. What makes this track unique is that Trisha actually has Roseanne guest on it! Not only does this song show Trisha's unparalleled harmony ability, it's just one hell of a song!

"I Don't Paint Myself into Corners." What can be said here? It's just a beautifully written song, so it's no surprise it was penned by Trisha's MCA counterpart, Rebecca Lynn Howard - a terrific singer in her own right. This song hits NO sour notes. It's just breathtaking.

"Harmless Heart" is achingly gorgeous -- a plea to a former lover that states that love gone wrong is sometimes the result of one's own inability to conquer their past. Gorgeous.

"Inside Out," the title track with former "Walkaway Joe" partner Don Henley is surprisingly the album's weakest track. The harmonies are terrific, but the song just doesn't grab me. The same holds true for track 8 "Love Let Go." It's a great song...just not one I can identify with.

The real magic is evidenced in track number 9, "Melancholy Blue." This achingly beautiful track is sonically stunning. The simple arrangement and the somewhat-obscure lyrics are refreshing, but when the true message of the song is revealed, you'd be hard-pressed to not be fighting back tears. It's just a simply sweet song. To see Trisha perform it live is a gift.

The final 3 tracks are true gems in classic Trisha style. She just turns it out. This isn't just a fabulous CD, it's the next link in a long chain of wonderful music this amazing woman has given to the world.