Label: M.E Records
Review By: Alan Holloway
It was quite staggering, for me anyway, when I realized that
it’s been twenty years since I reviewed and enjoyed Melissa Etheridge’s ‘Your
Little Secret’ album. We’ve both been through some stuff since then, although
Ms Etheridge has documented hers through eight albums whilst I’ve just bitched
about it on facebook,
‘This Is .M.E’ (love the title) sees Etheridge break new
ground by finally breaking away from Island Records and also using co writers
for the first time. I really don’t know what sort of songs she’s been doing for
the last 20 years but I can say that what she’s doing on this album is all
sorts of right. For a start, there’s a feeling of real heart, etched through eleven
songs that feel like Country music gone dirty. Each contains a solid, pounding
drum base and throaty, powerful vocals, the sort of songs that have you
drumming away with your hands. There are harder, angrier tracks like ‘Monster’
and ‘Ain’t That bad’, balanced by lighter but still powerful fare such as spot on opener ‘I Won’t Be Alone’
and lead single ‘Take My Number’. The only song without the booming drums is
soft album close ‘Who Are You Waiting For’, an emotional love song that may
bring a tear to grizzled old eyes and will certainly be played at a few
weddings in the future.
Overall, ‘This Is M.E’ is a powerful, soulful album in which
country meets rock but in a good way. It’s down and dirty and full of songs
that demand your attention once they start, capable of making you punch the air
or reach for a tissue.
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