Reba McEntire - Room To Breathe

[WhySoSerious?]

A great review from Billboard:

REBA McENTIRE
Album Title: Room to Breathe
Producer(s): Reba McEntire, Buddy Cannon, Norro Wilson
Label/Catalog Number: MCA B0000451
Release Date: Nov. 18
Source: Billboard Magazine
Originally Reviewed: November 22, 2003

Reba McEntire is versatile, indeed. She has appeared on Broadway, in films and on TV. On this, her first studio album in four years, she remains a masterful recording artist. Veteran producers Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson play to her many strengths, from the slickly produced, steady build of "Secret" to the country soul of "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain." The softly percolating "My Sister" will go over big, and tasteful steel licks and magnificent vocals make "If I Had Any Sense Left at All" a neo-classic. McEntire brings just the right touch of drama to the sad "Moving Oleta," and she spices up the gospel-tinged "Love Revival" and "Sky Full of Angels." The title cut is the kind of empowerment ballad the artist has owned for years. A track like "It Just Has to Be That Way," a duet with Vince Gill, is a breakup blockbuster. In all, this is a winning and welcome return.—RW

Can't wait to pick this up Tuesday.

[musicfan_84]

I can't wait either -- I've heard nothing but great things about this CD--especially the Vince duet...I heard that is the best duet in a long time! Cant wait! :)

[gcook]

I can't wait to get it either. I have been waiting a long time for this new Reba album.

[someguy]

I'm dying to get this one, too. I haven't let myself listen to any of the clips of the songs that are up on her site, so I'm going to be totally surprised when I get to listen to the CD. I've heard nothing but good about this album.

[prenatt1166]

I haven't let myself listen to any of the clips of the songs that are up on her site, so I'm going to be totally surprised when I get to listen to the CD.

I think you'll be happy with the new album. From just the clips I have heard, she sounds so "fresh", for lack of a better word. Great performances!

[WhySoSerious?]

I'm still on my first listen, so I won't post my thoughts yet, but here's a great 3.5/4 star review from USA Today:

Reba McEntire, Room to Breathe (***½) McEntire's move to L.A. for her successful WB sitcom doesn't mean she's gone Hollywood. Her finest collection since 1991's For My Broken Heart, this album touches on several styles, but it's the rootsiest ones — the gospel-tinged I'm Gonna Take That Mountain or Once You've Learned to Be Lonely, featuring Union Station's Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski singing harmonies — that really take hold. McEntire loves a good heart-tugger, and she includes some exceptional ones here, including Moving Oleta, in which an elderly man must put his Alzheimer's-stricken wife in a nursing home. —Brian Mansfield

[chris]

I'll be getting it soon!

[someguy]

I got the album this afternoon, and I'm on my fourth listen right now, so I think I have a good enough feel for the album to post my initial thoughts on it.

From all of the good things I've heard about this album (and I've heard A LOT of good about it) in the last month or so, my expectations were really high for this album. Reba managed to exceed them, though. This is an incredible album - easily the best Reba's done in a long time. While I liked So Good Together a lot, this one is miles ahead of it. For me, Room To Breathe stands among Rumor Has It, For My Broken Heart, If You See Him and Read My Mind as her best.

While "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" is a great song, it's nowhere near the best on this album. After a few listens, my favorite, by far, is "My Sister", though I don't think it should be a single just yet. "Somebody" is my pick for the next single - a classic Reba story song, with a twist ending. "Secret" is another great story song that Reba really pulls off. "Room To Breathe" and "He Gets That From Me" are really great ballads that would both work well as singles. "Once You've Learned To Be Lonely", with Alison Krauss on background vocals, is a great pure country song that stands among Reba's best.

The duet with Vince Gill, "It Just Has To Be This Way", is good, but not among my absolute top favorties. I'm also really glad to see Reba exploring gospel a little this time around. IGTTM touches on it, but "Love Revival" and the fantastic "Sky Full Of Angels" are the strong gospel flavored songs on the album.

All in all, this is a superb record, easily the best of 2003 for me. Reba keeps on raising the bar higher and higher for anyone else in the industry.

Here's how I would rank the songs so far:

1. My Sister
2. Sky Full Of Angels
3. Somebody
4. Room To Breathe
5. Secret
6. Moving Oleta
7. He Gets That From Me
8. Once You've Learned To Be Lonely
9. I'm Gonna Take That Mountain
10. It Just Has To Be This Way
11. Love Revival
12. If I Had Any Sense Left At All

[WhySoSerious?]

Someguy, most of my favorites are at the bottom of your list.

This CD is so solid. Definitely her best for me since Read My Mind. I'm so glad she hasn't followed the route of all the other ladies in country with the loud, blaring over production.

"Love Revival": Hallelujah! Reba really rips into this one. Amazing energy. It reminds me of Faith's "Keep On Walkin'" from It Matters to Me.

"It Just Has To Be This Way": This is one of the best duets I've heard in a long long time. Possibly better than "The Heart Won't Lie".

"If I Had Any Sense Left At All": Great stone cold country track. Her vocals are killer.

"Once You've Learned To Be Lonely": Alison Krauss & Dan Tyminski mixed with Reba's vocals is an unmatchable combo.

I honestly don't know what the next single should be. Every song sounds like it could do decently, but radio has to be open to it, otherwise it won't matter.

[someguy]

TCorey said:

Someguy, most of my favorites are at the bottom of your list.

LOL. It was really hard making the list, though. Every song I'd give at least an A- to.

I gotta say that this album gets better with every listen - I can definitely see where Reba was coming from when she said that she'd love to release 6 or 7 singles from it.

[WhySoSerious?]

So-so review from Dallas Morning News:

Return of Reba
Singer remains compelling even on a weak CD

03:12 PM MST on Wednesday, November 19, 2003

By MARIO TARRADELL / The Dallas Morning News

Reba McEntire
Grade B-
Room to Breathe
(MCA Nashville) In stores Tuesday

Reba McEntire, who used to record new albums every year like clockwork, hasn't released a collection of fresh songs since 1999's So Good Together. What with working on her TV sitcom, Reba, hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards and performing in a Broadway show, she's had no time for making music.

So Room to Breathe arrives with plenty of anticipation. After all, this is a new project from one of the most influential female country vocalists in the last two decades. But while Breathe merits a few listens – Ms. McEntire always commands attention – there's something missing. The CD doesn't kick into gear until track No. 6; it could use more traditional country simplicity and less pop polish. Her penchant for melodrama remains an occasional problem.

Tracks such as "If I Had Any Sense at All," "Learned To Be Lonely," "Moving Oleta" and "It Just Has To Be This Way," a duet with Vince Gill, wallow in a suffocating, syrupy backdrop that only makes the lyrics and Ms. McEntire's delivery more heavy-handed. Although not as bad as 1998's "If You See Him, If You See Her," the insufferable collaboration with Brooks & Dunn, these songs don't come close to the heft and power of classics such as "Whoever's in New England" and "Fallin' Out of Love."

Then she goes pop heavy in her attempt to be contemporary with the empty cuts "My Sister" and "Secret." Instantly forgettable stuff; she can do better than that.

And before you know it, she does. Starting with the passionate gospel rave-up "Love Revival," you're in for six stellar tunes. The first single, "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," casts a homespun spell complete with banjo, fiddle, dobro and her winning vocal performance. A little later, on "Sky Full of Angels," Ms. McEntire stirs the spirits. Why hasn't this woman made a Southern gospel record yet?

Of the remaining ballads, "He Gets That From Me" sounds quiet and sweet, a song she no doubt dedicates to her son Shelby. And on the title cut, she showcases her expert interpretive skills, climbing into the heart of a woman adjusting to the overwhelming feelings of newfound love.

To her credit, Ms. McEntire continues to tone the once trademark curlicues in her peerless voice. She's a great singer who can capture the soul of the song in the space of four minutes. But as Room to Breathe attests, she also needs strong material throughout, not just for part of a record.

[WhySoSerious?]

More reviews:

Nashville's The Tenneseean:

REJOICE, REBA'S BACK WITH 'ROOM TO BREATHE'

Reba
Room To Breathe
MCA Nashville


Country music has long had a syrupy, sentimental side, and during several periods in its history, notably the early 1980s and the late 1990s, that wing of the party went off the deep end, trading in emotional power for rank sentimentality. But when this slice of the genre (let's call it emo-country) is done well, with gonzo vocal power and piercing subject matter, even the hardiest roots and punk-loving skeptic may be reduced to tears.

Here's one example: Reba singing Moving Oleta on Room to Breathe, about a man watching his wife linger in an Alzheimer's state of living death. Written by Barry Dean, the song marries a desperately sad lyric to a softly descending melody in the verse that leaves you helpless against lines such as ''They line 'em up in La-Z-Boys out in the sunroom/The TV keeps the quiet away/She can't recall his name, and she's the only love he's known.''

In short, Reba is back, and the first studio album she's made in four years is a knockout. There's rousing gospel, a power-pop/bluegrass single called I'm Gonna Take That Mountain, a tender break-up duet with Vince Gill and more. My Sister veers closest to the icky trap, but it's heartfelt stuff and fans will love it. After a TV venture and a celebrated stint on Broadway, it's good to have Annie and her vocal guns back in town.

From the Philadelphia Enquirer:

Reba McEntire
Room to Breathe
(MCA ***)

As she did with that big hair she used to sport, Reba McEntire has shed most of the divalike pop excesses that marred her music. That welcome development here accompanies a strong collection of adult-themed songs that steer clear of sugarcoated banalities, making Room to Breathe the superstar's best album in years.

The first single, the rousing "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," has a pungent Appalachian flavor, and Reba rips through two spirited gospel numbers. The album, however, is dominated by ballads such as "Moving Oleta," a wrenching Alzheimer's portrait, and "It Just Has to Be This Way," an aching, end-of-the-affair duet with Vince Gill. These numbers are given well-done country and country-pop arrangements, and are rendered all the more moving by the similar judiciousness McEntire shows with that powerhouse voice of hers.

From Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

B-

Room To Breathe

Reba McEntire

MCA Nashville

Oklahoman Reba McEntire has been making records since the late '70s, but she didn't hit her commercial stride until the '80s, when she became one of the most popular country singers in the world. Eventually, however, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and a bunch of younger, more prettied-up female singers stole her fire, and it looked as though she'd be content dabbling in acting and starring in her own sitcom.

On her 28th studio album, she's not so much competing with the Shanias and Faiths of the world as much as she is trying to reassure her fans that she simply is not done with music. Room To Breathe, her first studio record in four years, isn't a comeback disc; it's an I've-been-here-all-along disc.

As such, it's a hit-and-miss effort. There are nods to bluegrass (I'm Gonna Take That Mountain) and gospel (Sky Full of Angels), but also the adult-contemporary mush that has weighed down her previous efforts; half the songs are good, the other half are forgettable.

But McEntire sings them with her typical red-hair gusto, so even the weakest of moments come off strangely tolerable. Now when Faith sings trash, you just wanna change the station.

[WhySoSerious?]

"Sky Full Of Angels" is gaining spins according to Mediabase.

Other songs with spins:

"Sky Full Of Angels": 41 (+2)
"It Just Has To Be This Way": 13 (-8)
"He Gets That From Me" 9 (-7)
"Love Revival" 7 (+5)
"Once You've Learned To Be Lonely" 6 (+4)
"Room To Breathe" 5 (+3)
"My Sister" 2 (-3)

After having the album a week now, I love every song on it. I'm hoping the second single will be either "It Just Has To Be This Way", "If I Had Any Sense Left At All" or "He Gets That From Me". Here's how I would rank the tracks from favorite to least favorite, though again every song is great.

1. It Just Has To Be This Way
2. He Gets That From Me
3. I'm Gonna Take That Mountain
4. Sky Full Of Angels
5. If I Had Any Sense Left At All
6. Once You've Learned To Be Lonely
7. Secret
8. Room To Breathe
9. Love Revival
10. Somebody
11. My Sister
12. Moving Oleta

[musicfan_84]

I'm hoping for "Somebody" to be released next :) It would make an awesome video!

[someguy]

I'm really glad to see mostly positive reviews for this album. It literally hasn't left my CD player since I picked it up last Tuesday. The sales figures, while good, disappoint me a little. I was hoping she'd at least break 100k, but 72k isn't too bad. I was also hoping she'd debut at #1, but at least she outsold LeAnn Rimes.

After many more listens, I'd change my list of favorites a little. I'd move "Secret" down the list, and move "It Just Has To Be This Way" way up.

[EvanJ]

Reba won't sell a lot of albums anymore, just like George Strait doesn't.

[WhySoSerious?]

EvanJ said:

Reba won't sell a lot of albums anymore, just like George Strait doesn't.

She may not reach her mid-90s peak numbers of 4-5x platinum, but I'd think she can still go platinum and continue to add to her RIAA total which is the best for a female country artist.

What's most impressive is that she's sold over 40 million albums without ever having one crossover hit.

[EvanJ]

TCorey said:

What's most impressive is that she's sold over 40 million albums without ever having one crossover hit.

Yes, but I can't name any crossovers by Alan Jackson, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, or Garth Brooks either. All four have had many Country hits, and all except Kenny (who must have sold a lot of albums. Looking at the CHR-Pop archive site, Garth Brooks had a Number 26 on CHR-Pop and the other three I named aren't listed. Toby Keith isn't listed either. Garth Brooks is certified for 105,000,000, and if he was popular for as long as Reba, he would be the all-time leader. On the RIAA site, Reba is ahead of Alan 35,000,000 to 32,500,000 (it isn't updated) and both are way behind Garth and George.
In the 2000s the Country artists I can name who could gotten the most additional sales by crossing over are Shania, Faith, Lee Ann Womack, and Lonestar. The Dixie Chicks crossed over but the album fell soon afterwards, Jo Dee Messina's album wasn't selling much when "Bring On The Rain" crossed over, and Tim McGraw is on Adult Contemporary now but the album isn't selling much.
What's more impressive than Reba is the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack selling without any hits on any format. The artists on that soundtrack are probably the least well known of any album that has sold that much or more.
It's normal for a Country artist to have less than 10 percent of their songs cross over.
Reba has something other than a crossover, she now has a TV show.
I don't hate her music or anything.

[WhySoSerious?]

What's your point? I wasn't taking anything away from Alan, George, or Garth by saying that Reba's numbers were impressive.

No other female besides Shania even comes close to Reba and especially not one that has never crossed over.

[jond7699]

I finally saw the video for "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" and I must admit I am rather impressed. I have always been around Reba's music but never really connected to it. (except "And Still"). I think I might even chart this song. I don't know if I am gonna buy her album though.

[xtinasnumerounofan]

TCorey said:

11. My Sister
12. Moving Oleta

I totally agree with those being the bottom two on the album. In fact, I'd probably say that "Moving Oleta" is the worst song of her entire career. It would be a touching tale had it not been for the rambling lyrics.
After giving the album a few listens, I'm content with giving the album a solid B-; I agree with some of the reviews posted here. This is definitely not Reba's best work, far from it, but it's Reba, so for that reason alone, you can't really go wrong. It's great to have Reba back. :)

[someguy]

Congrats to Reba - Room To Breathe was just certified gold.

[WhySoSerious?]

someguy said:

Congrats to Reba - Room To Breathe was just certified gold.

SoundScan total through this week is 302,986. It bullets from #170 to #148 on the BB200.

[musicfan_84]

Wow, this topic is OLD! But, I have some great news! From allaboutcountry.com:

Reba McEntire’s latest CD, Room To Breathe, has also been certified platinum for sales of one million units. The certification marks Reba’s 18th platinum certification.

[sbp17]

Woo Hoo!!!!!

[someguy]

That's great news - Reba deserves it for making such a great album that has stood the test of time (for me, anyways). It's still in my top 3 favorites of her studio albums. It took a little longer than she's used to, but I knew that this would eventually get there.

[reidster]

Wow. Sales of a million? Not just a shipment. Congrats!

[Perp]

I have Soundscan from 7/31/05 in front of me, and it says the SALES are 743,758 and she moved 7,153 that week.  She may have shipped Platinum, but her sales are still far short of it right now, unless Soundscan is way off. Can someone explain what's going on?

[WhySoSerious?]

perpetualemotion said:

I have Soundscan from 7/31/05 in front of me, and it says the SALES are 743,758 and she moved 7,153 that week.   She may have shipped Platinum, but her sales are still far short of it right now, unless Soundscan is way off.  Can someone explain what's going on? 

Certifications are for albums shipped. Thus, it has shipped a million to stores. Sounds about right if you include record club sales.