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Post by kyhomeg on Jul 31, 2005 10:36:36 GMT -5
BILLBOARD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FAITH HILL Fireflies
FAITH HILL Album Title: Fireflies Producer(s): Byron Gallimore, Faith Hill, Dann Huff Genre: COUNTRY Label/Catalog Number: Warner Bros. Release Date: Aug. 2 Source: Billboard Magazine Originally Reviewed: August 07, 2005
Leadoff single "Mississippi Girl"—a countrified "Jenny From the Block"—sets the tone for Hill's sixth and best album and signals a return to her country roots. Hill lets her vocal gifts soar on an outstanding group of songs ranging in mood from the hilarious shotgun marriage ode "Dearly Beloved" to the sweet title track to the dark, sad "If You Ask" and "Stealing Kisses." The 14-track album showcases the work of no less than 24 songwriters, including fellow country artists John Rich and the Warren Brothers as well as Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter Lori McKenna. The expected next single is the sweeping power ballad "Like We Never Loved at All" on which Hill shares vocals with her husband, Tim McGraw. Look for it to be this fall's country radio smash. —Phyllis Stark
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George Tropicana
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Post by George Tropicana on Jul 31, 2005 11:01:49 GMT -5
2.5 stars from LA Times
The album will be $9.98 at Target, $9.99 at Circuit City (free Trisha Yearwood CD Sampler with purchase of "Fireflies!) and Best Buy
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2005 11:05:54 GMT -5
All Music Guide gave it 3/5 stars. They listed highlights as "Sunshine And Summertime," "Mississippi Girl," "Dearly Beloved," and "Like We Never Loved At All".
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Post by kyhomeg on Jul 31, 2005 12:03:30 GMT -5
Heck CRITICS shut up with Shania, they are different as night and day IMO. For one thing Faith can sing circles around Shania, and Shania sings nothing lyrics, like growing a beard, and little dittys like that. If it wasn't for Mutt producing with his ability with the pop hooks they would be all flops.
The album is great and like the review said with each listen it becomes more memorable and that is going th be the thing IMO that makes this album a huge success. Also they are right SHE NEVER OVERSINGS ON THIS ALBUM.
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Post by musicfan_84 on Jul 31, 2005 12:31:55 GMT -5
Great... a Shania bash. Let it begin
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bamafan2102
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Post by bamafan2102 on Jul 31, 2005 12:33:31 GMT -5
Listen to Wild One then listen to Fireflies. Then tell me if she over sings or not. I know voices mature but the difference is night and day. This album is more of the same (Breath, Cry) and it isn't all that good. The song choices are really weired and her vocals are REALLY overdone. Especially the wish song.
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sbp17
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Post by sbp17 on Jul 31, 2005 13:10:26 GMT -5
Listen to Wild One then listen to Fireflies. Then tell me if she over sings or not. I know voices mature but the difference is night and day. This album is more of the same (Breath, Cry) and it isn't all that good. The song choices are really weired and her vocals are REALLY overdone. Especially the wish song. Wow, I just said almost the same thing when replying about Like We Never Loved At All. I whole-heartedly agree (except to the part about the album being the same as Breathe and Cry). She definitely over sings on this cd (on some cuts more than others.) I still think it's leagues above Breathe and Cry. While her vocals aren't particularly country, I think many of the lyrics are and there's definitely more country instrumentation. I really love this cd but it still falls short of "Faith" primarily because of Faith's vocals.
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Post by kyhomeg on Jul 31, 2005 13:34:35 GMT -5
She doesn't do the screaming on this album like what was on Cry except MG. She does not do the Martina kinda over singing at all. She is very subtle and very expressive with her voice,.
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drock89
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Post by drock89 on Jul 31, 2005 15:26:05 GMT -5
The screaming worked for Cry. I still haven't listened to this album cover to cover yet so I am not going to give opinions.
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Love4Shania
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Post by Love4Shania on Jul 31, 2005 17:34:09 GMT -5
Heck CRITICS shut up with Shania, they are different as night and day IMO. For one thing Faith can sing circles around Shania, and Shania sings nothing lyrics, like growing a beard, and little dittys like that. If it wasn't for Mutt producing with his ability with the pop hooks they would be all flops. ..and Faith sings about what...being a fairy princess and trying to capture Tinker Bell? Anyway, I tried the album but wasn't impressed. Faith's voice doesn't grab me at all....and I find most of her songs dull.
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prenatt1166
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Post by prenatt1166 on Jul 31, 2005 21:03:22 GMT -5
XM's Highway 16 previewed Faith Hill's entire album with commentary by Faith on each track. I like a couple songs, but was tempted to change stations most of the time.
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KMCB
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Post by KMCB on Jul 31, 2005 22:17:26 GMT -5
I listened to the XM premiere on the way home from Orlando and knew I would have to post about it!
Except for Sunshine and Summertime and the awful, awful A-OK song (which has a title that makes no sense), I really like the album. I am laughing at the 'over-sing' debate because I was happy that this CD seems to be spotlighting Faith's vocals rather than the overproduced instrumentation and obnoxious backup singers featured on the Cry CD.
I think the song with Tim is beautiful, and I LOVE Paris; of course the latter is not a country single, but it's just a gorgeous, classic sounding song. I thought all the ballads on the CD were really good, and 'Dearly Beloved' is a lot of fun. I will definitely be buying it and hope it's a huge success.
Oh, but a slightly catty PS: I love Faith, but she is just an awful speaker! My husband kept laughing and calling her a dork. She comes off very ditzy in the XM interview, especially when talking about Live 8. Ouch.
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jacksonfan
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Post by jacksonfan on Aug 1, 2005 12:16:48 GMT -5
She doesn't do the screaming on this album like what was on Cry except MG. She does not do the Martina kinda over singing at all. She is very subtle and very expressive with her voice,.
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bamafan2102
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Post by bamafan2102 on Aug 1, 2005 17:20:09 GMT -5
Wish For You sounds like a song that should be on the movie Pete's Dragon or Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. I am taking a deeper listen to this cd now but still am not getting it.
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jacksonfan
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Post by jacksonfan on Aug 1, 2005 18:18:55 GMT -5
Review from Entertainment Weekly:
Music Review:
Fireflies Faith Hill Reviewed by Greg Kot
Honky-tankin' After stretching her Nashville credibility until it went pop with 2002's Cry, Faith Hill aims to reestablish her country bona fides on her sixth studio album. Not that Hill should care — everything she's touched for more than a decade has gone multiplatinum, thanks to a voice plush enough to rival songbirds like Mariah Carey and pliant enough to tackle everything from gospel to bubblegum.
On Fireflies, she pumps up the country signifiers, with arrangements ornamented by pedal steel, fiddle, and mandolin. The sole ringer (''Paris'' ) is a torch ballad, the nadir a flag waver (''We've Got Nothing but Love to Prove'' ). Otherwise, Hill protests that she's just a ''Mississippi Girl'' who ''ain't bigheaded from a little bit of fame.'' She also ratchets up the twang in a parade of hillbilly parodies: the hoedown ''Dearly Beloved,'' the tear-in-your-martini ''I Ain't Gonna Take It Anymore'' and the slow-burn duet with hubby Tim McGraw, ''Like We Never Loved at All.''
Alterna-folkie Lori McKenna's contributions save Hill from schlock overdose. McKenna's ''Stealing Kisses,'' ''Fireflies,'' and ''If You Ask'' may not meet anyone's standard for honky-tonk, but they're the kind of emotionally nuanced songs Hill should seek out more often. Grade: C+
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Post by kyhomeg on Aug 1, 2005 19:20:27 GMT -5
Thanks, but the only real opinion of the music that counts is that of the fans. They will either love it, like it or hate it. Nothing more matters, does it? The fans opinions will be shown with their pocketbooks, all the rest is just hot air from someone that gets paid to put it out.
He does have a few things right, she does have a VOICE that can rival the best and can do it all. Would love for her to do a gospel album, a classic XMAS album and album of some of the classics from the 40's of the Big Band era. Her performance of Wish For You, with that 40's Doris Day Band era sound tells me she would be great with it.
Another right is the Lori McKenna songs , they are amazing, some of best, real writing I've heard in a while. Stealing Kisses and If You Ask are AWESOME. If You Ask is just powerful, especiallly with the way it ends.
Heard there is other artist now possibly recording some of her material like Tim Mcgraw and Sara Evans.
Dearly Beloved I love, and don't see anything wrong with that at all.
I Ain't Gonna Take it Anymore, I love it and don't see anything wrong with that one either and the one song is NOT a flag waving song, I think he need to listen to that one again.
Others I adore, Lucky One, can't stop singing that one, love the feel.
I Want You this one is so different and just LOVE IT.
Also love Stay With Me, if you've been married any period of time that one rings so true.
Fireflies and Wish for You are just special and make you feel good.
Like Billboard said, the more I listen to these songs, the more memorable they become.
BTW Rhonda Vincent sings backup onAin't Going Take It Anymore.
Kelly Wills sings backup on Fireflies and Stealing Kisses.
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Jonsolo
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Post by Jonsolo on Aug 1, 2005 19:35:19 GMT -5
Thanks, but the only real opinion of the music that counts is that of the fans. They will either love it, like it or hate it. Nothing more matters, does it? The fans opinions will be shown with their pocketbooks, all the rest is just hot air from someone that gets paid to put it out. I'm confused. If that's what you truly believe, then why did you bother posting the Billboard review? Was it also "just hot air"?
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jacksonfan
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Post by jacksonfan on Aug 1, 2005 19:37:20 GMT -5
Thanks, but the only real opinion of the music that counts is that of the fans. They will either love it, like it or hate it. Nothing more matters, does it? The fans opinions will be shown with their pocketbooks, all the rest is just hot air from someone that gets paid to put it out. He does have a few things right, she does have a VOICE that can rival the best and can do it all. Would love for her to do a gospel album, a classic XMAS album and album of some of the classics from the 40's of the Big Band era. Her performance of Wish For You, with that 40's Doris Day Band era sound tells me she would be great with it. Another right is the Lori McKenna songs , they are amazing, some of best, real writing I've heard in a while. Stealing Kisses and If You Ask are AWESOME. If You Ask is just powerful, especiallly with the way it ends. Heard there is other artist now possibly recording some of her material like Tim Mcgraw and Sara Evans. Dearly Beloved I love, and don't see anything wrong with that at all. I Ain't Gonna Take it Anymore, I love it and don't see anything wrong with that one either and the one song is NOT a flag waving song, I think he need to listen to that one again. Others I adore, Lucky One, can't stop singing that one, love the feel. I Want You this one is so different and just LOVE IT. Also love Stay With Me, if you've been married any period of time that one rings so true. Fireflies and Wish for You are just special and make you feel good. Like Billboard said, the more I listen to these songs, the more memorable they become. BTW Rhonda Vincent sings backup onAin't Going Take It Anymore. Kelly Wills sings backup on Fireflies and Stealing Kisses. You didn't get it did you? The reviewer basically says the cd sucks!
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jacksonfan
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Post by jacksonfan on Aug 1, 2005 19:38:27 GMT -5
Thanks, but the only real opinion of the music that counts is that of the fans. They will either love it, like it or hate it. Nothing more matters, does it? The fans opinions will be shown with their pocketbooks, all the rest is just hot air from someone that gets paid to put it out. I'm confused. If that's what you truly believe, then why did you bother posting the Billboard review? Was it also "just hot air"? In her opinion the only reviews that count are positive ones - the rest are all "hot air".
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Post by kyhomeg on Aug 1, 2005 19:58:06 GMT -5
No, positive or negative by the critics don't mean anything in the end do they really. It is the fans and their opinion that in the end is all that matters. Ask any artist would they love to have only glowing great reviews from the critics filling the newspapers, or instead would they like hearing the fans enjoy it, and better yet, connecting with the music and buying it. Now what do think Alan's answer would be to that question. Just putting some perspective on critics reviews THE POSTIVE AND THE NEGATIVE, in the end neither the GOOD or BAD matter if the fans don't feel the music. Just another view for you: msnbc.msn.com/id/8790418/
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musicbuff78
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Post by musicbuff78 on Aug 1, 2005 20:05:51 GMT -5
Who's to say the reviewer isnt a fan of Faiths??????
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Love4Shania
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Post by Love4Shania on Aug 2, 2005 4:43:58 GMT -5
Thanks, but the only real opinion of the music that counts is that of the fans. No, positive or negative by the critics don't mean anything in the end do they really. It is the fans and their opinion that in the end is all that matters. Using that logic, that would also mean that your "negative" opinion on Shania, which you have repeatedly used as a means of glorifying Faith, means absolutely nothing. ..or let me guess, this only applies to Faith and Tim?
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Post by kyhomeg on Aug 2, 2005 9:30:16 GMT -5
Thanks, but the only real opinion of the music that counts is that of the fans. No, positive or negative by the critics don't mean anything in the end do they really. It is the fans and their opinion that in the end is all that matters. Using that logic, that would also mean that your "negative" opinion on Shania, which you have repeatedly used as a means of glorifying Faith, means absolutely nothing. ..or let me guess, this only applies to Faith and Tim? I hope you do realize how your comment makes no sense at all. You do realize that don't you. I am not a critic, I do NOT make my living reviewing music or anything else. I am just a fan of music and have my likes and dislikes just like everyone else. My distaste for Shania's music or voice has nothing to do with anybody BUT Shania.
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Love4Shania
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Post by Love4Shania on Aug 2, 2005 10:49:54 GMT -5
Using that logic, that would also mean that your "negative" opinion on Shania, which you have repeatedly used as a means of glorifying Faith, means absolutely nothing. ..or let me guess, this only applies to Faith and Tim? I hope you do realize how your comment makes no sense at all. You do realize that don't you. I am not a critic, I do NOT make my living reviewing music or anything else. I am just a fan of music and have my likes and dislikes just like everyone else. My distaste for Shania's music or voice has nothing to do with anybody BUT Shania. crit·ic (krĭt'ĭk) pronunciation n.
1. One who forms and expresses judgments of the merits, faults, value, or truth of a matter. 2. One who specializes especially professionally in the evaluation and appreciation of literary or artistic works: a film critic; a dance critic. 3. One who tends to make harsh or carping judgments; a faultfinder.
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J.T.
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Post by J.T. on Aug 2, 2005 11:12:55 GMT -5
USA TODAY REVIEW
Faith Hill, Fireflies (* * ½ out of four) Fireflies improves on Hill's massively disappointing Cry, not because it sounds more like a country album — though it does — but because Hill is singing more about people's lives, from the affection-starved housewife of Stealing Kisses to Dearly Beloved's white-trash wedding. But like her other recent albums, Fireflies leaves the sense that if two songs came up and kissed Hill full on the lips, she couldn't tell which was good and which was bad. For every bit of summery country-pop (the title track or A Wish for You), there's an ill-conceived number such as We've Got Nothing but Love to Prove, which, with its inane "Is everything A-OK in the USA?" chorus, sounds like John Lennon's Imagine rewritten for American Idol. —Brian Mansfield
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someguy
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Post by someguy on Aug 2, 2005 14:09:23 GMT -5
I love this album. It's easily my favorite that I've bought this year, maybe even for the last couple of years. I liked Cry, but it was a bit of a disappointment to me. This one ranks right up there with Faith for me as my favorite album from Faith Hilll; I think I may even like this one a little more. Besides "Mississippi Girl", which I'm still not tired of, my favorites on the album are "Sunshine & Summertime" (this NEEDS to be released next summer), "Dearly Beloved", "Stealing Kisses", "Fireflies", "The Lucky One" and "Like We Never Loved At All". "Paris" still hasn't grown on me yet, but it may do so with a few more listens. I'm not huge on "We've Got Nothing But Love To Prove" yet either.
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Post by When I Ruled the World on Aug 2, 2005 14:13:20 GMT -5
"I Want You" is still my favorite, and I think it will remain that way.
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George Tropicana
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Post by George Tropicana on Aug 2, 2005 16:42:50 GMT -5
I generally like the album as a whole on a first listen. The only tracks I'm not too crazy about are "Dearly Beloved" and "We've Got Nothing But Love To Prove." "I Ain't Gonna Take It Anymore," "I Want You," "Sunshine and Summertime" (I agree this has to be released during the summer!), and "Like We Never Loved At All" are my favorites so far.
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jacksonfan
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Post by jacksonfan on Aug 2, 2005 18:39:07 GMT -5
..or let me guess, this only applies to Faith and Tim? How true - how true - the only negative reviews that she expresses are about everyone who does not have the last name of McGraw!
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musicbuff78
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Post by musicbuff78 on Aug 2, 2005 18:59:08 GMT -5
For that matter, Faith doesn't have the same last name....how could you like her??
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