Martina McBride: "Waking Up Laughing" (April 3)

[Deleted]

From USA Today:

McBride hitting the road for new album


Martina McBride releases a new album, Waking Up Laughing, on April 3. The new album includes the four-time Country Music Association female vocalist of the year's first three songwriting credits, including current single Anyway, which is No.13 on Billboard's country chart. Nine days after the album's release, McBride kicks off her tour with Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town in Kansas City, Mo. Additional tour dates — including shows in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York — are available at martinamcbride.com.

[marcjm]

I hope she has some power ballad songs that show off her range. I like her as a singer, but I never really get into her CDs because they're so Country music, which is a genre I'm not really into at all.

[Deleted]

Album Cover:
img374.imageshack.us/img374/9378/laughing1bmn0.jpg


From RCA Nashville:

MARTINA McBRIDE
WAKING UP LAUGHING
CUT X CUT

If I Had Your Name
(Hillary Lindsey/Steve McEwan/Gordon Sampson)
It’s no wonder Martina calls this “One of the most clever kiss-off songs I’ve ever heard.” The fiddle-laced rocker is full of spunk, thanks to such sassy lyrics as “You’re like a new key made with the wrong cut/Stuck tryin’ to break into my home/You’re like a bottle sent with a message/But you’re sinkin’ like a stone/If I had your name/I’d be changin’ it by now.” Martina says, “I like to take rocking, edgy songs that are more electric guitar-driven and add acoustic traditional instruments like mandolin and fiddle played with attitude and energy so that it all fits together. This song has such a unique feel and I think the juxtaposition of the rockin’ guitars with the mandolin and fiddle, make it really interesting musically.”

Cry Cry (’Til The Sun Shines)
(Marv Green/Chris Lindsey/Hillary Lindsey/Aimee Mayo)
This melodic song is infused with hope. While assuring us “it’s gonna be alright,” it tells three different stories about overcoming obstacles and pushing through to the other side of heartache. While fresh and new, “Cry Cry” is reminiscent of classic Martina songs such as “My Baby Loves Me” and “Wild Angels”. The open, guitar-driven arrangement makes you want to get in your car and drive fast with the sun shining and all the windows down.

Tryin’ to Find a Reason
(Tommy Lee James/Jeremy Stover)
This exquisitely wistful ballad—a goodbye song that makes your heart ache with sadness and regret—features the soulful guitar and lush harmony vocals of Keith Urban. According to Martina, “I’m not one to put another artist on my record unless a song makes me think of a specific artist … and when I heard this song, I immediately thought, ‘Keith Urban has to sing on this with me.”

For These Times
(Leslie Satcher)
When Martina heard this Leslie Satcher tune toward the end of recording, she knew her album was complete: “I’d been looking for a song that talks about these times we live in, and addresses issues that really bother me. I wanted lyrics that express how I truly feel, and these are perfect.” Indeed, the song grows with the passion it conveys, so much so that Martina says she had trouble singing louder than the band was playing, but all that energy pays off with a dynamic and uplifting track full of honesty and conviction.

Anyway
(Martina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren)
The debut single, one of three songs on the album co-written by Martina, is a classic power anthem with a soaring melody featuring a string arrangement by David Campbell. Ultimately, it’s a song with a message of hope and strength—as the lyrics from the chorus attest: “God is great, but sometimes life ain't good/When I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should/But I do it anyway/I do it anyway.”

How I Feel
(Martina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Chris Lindsey/Aimee Mayo
In this modern and melodic song, also a Martina co-write, she sings about many of the things that bring joy—confetti, snow, the first day of fall, standing up for what you believe—and compares them with the feelings you have for the one you love. It has a Beatlesque vibe that carries the listener on a musical journey.

I’ll Still Be Me
(Tammy Hyler/Rachel Thibodeau)
This beautiful ballad about a mature, reassuring love was actually written about Martina and her husband, John, though the writers didn’t want to reveal that fact until they knew Martina liked the song and wanted to cut it. It unfolds like a love letter of times past and present and is a testament to those who’ve found their soul mate in life.

Beautiful Again
(Martina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Nick Trevisick)
This song provokes a strong, emotional reaction thanks to some disturbing lyrics cleverly juxtaposed with joyful music. Though the song tackles such difficult topics as abuse and neglect —subjects that would be taboo for most singers—Martina has consistently proven that she can use her music as a platform for what she believes, reaching out to those who need compassion, understanding and, above all, hope.

Everybody Does
(Mike Mobley/Rachel Proctor/Dan Demay)
Proclaimed by Martina as “one of the catchiest, hookiest songs in 3 minutes 27 seconds that I’ve ever heard,” the mid-tempo rocker is an ode to the trials and tribulations of love. This everyman song features “every hook you could imagine, lyrically and melodically,” and reassures the brokenhearted that they are not alone.

House of a Thousand Dreams
(Billy Montana/Jenai/Ilya Toshinsky)
With a song she says takes her on a journey every time she hears it, Martina offers an ode to a struggling, middle-class family dreaming of a better life. The lyrics are unique in that they are presented from three different points of view: the father, mother, and young son.

Love Land
(Tom Douglas/Rachel Thibodeau)
This is the first song Martina found for the album, and she says she is still completely knocked out by it. “Every time I hear this song, something new happens. It is one of those songs that is really special to me in a way that’s hard to describe.” Beautifully rendered, it tells a moving story of a quickie wedding due to an unplanned pregnancy, resulting in a union that, despite heartache and tragedy, has a life-affirming outcome. “I think music and songs have the ability to heal, and I think this song will do just that for many people.”

[SILENCE]

OMG I had no idea Martina was releasing a new album! She's one of my all time favorite female singers! Her album Evolution has been in heavy rotation on my Mp3 player for years! The descriptions of those songs make it sound like an amazing album! I hope we get a first listen soon!

[Hook]

marcjm said:

I hope she has some power ballad songs that show off her range.

That's pretty much all she does these days. I used to really like her, but her recent music (not including the covers album) has been either lots of screaming or songs about her kids or religion. Blah.

[Mike]

It leaked!

[marcjm]

emerson said:

marcjm said:

I hope she has some power ballad songs that show off her range.

That's pretty much all she does these days. I used to really like her, but her recent music (not including the covers album) has been either lots of screaming or songs about her kids or religion. Blah.

That's exactly what I like, so hopefully this CD covers that territory.

[reception]

Reviewed by Brian Mansfield
USA Today

Martina McBride, Waking Up Laughing: * * * (out of four) Chick-flick country

For something called Waking Up Laughing, this album sure has a lot of unwed pregnancies, miscarriages, molestations and fears of divine retribution. But like McBride - who writes for the first time and takes sole production credit - the women who suffer through the first parts of these songs find control, happiness and reason for optimism in the middle of their lives. The album sounds marvelous - both sonically and as a showcase for McBride’s voice, one of country music’s most elegant - though McBride’s tendency to go for the big message when she needs an undeniable hook instead could make finding radio play a struggle every step of the way.

[reception]

Apr 4, 1:09 PM EDT
Music Review: Martina McBride

By MICHAEL McCALL
For The Associated Press

Martina McBride, "Waking Up Laughing" (RCA)

Fifteen years in, Martina McBride continues to look for new challenges. With "Waking Up Laughing," the big-voiced singer produces the album by herself (as she did with her last album, "Timeless"). McBride also composes some of her own material for the first time, co-writing three songs, including the uplifting first hit, "Anyway."

What she doesn't change is her preference for songs pertinent to Middle America. Mixing stories of tragedy and struggle with those of survival and renewal, the Kansas native presents 11 songs that could serve as themes for two weeks worth of Oprah. Such real-life topics are common in country music, but like Winfrey, McBride digs deeper, avoiding cliches while providing more insight and inspiration than any of her peers.

On "Waking Up Laughing," McBride taps into a particularly potent mix of positive messages, and she matches these consistently outstanding songs with a seamless blend of acoustic instruments, gentle rhythms and soaring orchestrations that bank on subtlety and style.

She invites another contemporary country tastemaker, Keith Urban, for a duet on "Tryin' to Find a Reason," but it's only one of many highlights. Others include the social commentary of "For These Times," the won't-be-a-victim tale of "Beautiful Again," and two love songs, "I'll Still Be Me" and "Love Land." The latter two couldn't be more different in their story lines but share a belief that humans can rise above their situations to see something good and lasting in enduring life's changes.

[areyoureadytojump]

Billboard:

Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing" at No. 3 with 144,000. She also starts at No. 2 on Top Country Albums -- her fifth straight top three album. McBride's last set, the covers collection "Timeless," began at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 last year with 185,000 units. Her last studio effort, 2003's "Martina," climbed in at No. 7 on The Billboard 200 with 123,000. The new album's lead single, "Anyway," became her 19th top 10 hit on Hot Country Songs in February.

[areyoureadytojump]

bks:

Chart was re-run due to a processing error -- only two positions impacted were Martina and Hilary switch places:

-- 3 DUFF*HILARY DIGNITY 140,332 999 65 140,441
-- 4 MCBRIDE*MARTINA WAKING UP LAUGHING 138,666 999 56 138,291

[areyoureadytojump]

Martina will be on American Idol tonight.

[areyoureadytojump]

Billboard:

Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing" (RCA) descends 4-8 with 50,000, a 64% sales hit.

[areyoureadytojump]

4/28/07 chart:

8 MCBRIDE*MARTINA WAKING UP LAUGHING 49,995 -64% 138,666 187,023

[areyoureadytojump]

Billboard.com:

Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing" (RCA) ascends 8-5 with 55,000, a 10% sales increase. Sales were helped in part by the country singer's appearance on "American Idol."

[areyoureadytojump]

5/5/07 chart

5 8 MCBRIDE*MARTINA WAKING UP LAUGHING 55,089 240,723

[lullaby]

I can not believe Martina does not sell more records with her golden voice which is in my eyes the best live vocal in music today!

[areyoureadytojump]

It's only her 3rd week on the chart!

[Mike]

lullaby said:

I can not believe Martina does not sell more records with her golden voice which is in my eyes the best live vocal in music today!

The problem isn't with her vocal capability, it's with her material. She sings better than virtually anyone else in the business, but her music is just not that good. She has a handful of well-written, beautifully crafted songs... But other than that there isn't much to talk about. Her voice soars, but her music in general just doesn't cut it.

[lullaby]

areyoureadytojump said:

It's only her 3rd week on the chart!

Oh I know that but she has never been a big seller and it it really baffles me - She will sell 1-2 million as standard but like I said she is one of the best in the business imo

[lullaby]

mikehunt11286 said:

lullaby said:

I can not believe Martina does not sell more records with her golden voice which is in my eyes the best live vocal in music today!

The problem isn't with her vocal capability, it's with her material. She sings better than virtually anyone else in the business, but her music is just not that good. She has a handful of well-written, beautifully crafted songs... But other than that there isn't much to talk about. Her voice soars, but her music in general just doesn't cut it.

Taking into account she doesnt write (up until anyway) and the fact her voice is so good she must turn down some of the most amazing material - Maybe the problem is that shes no good at song selection...

[Deleted]

Her song selection for past 15 years has been some of the best around country music. No one has more guts than her when it comes to cutting songs like "Indedepence Day" and "Concrete Angel" that others wouldn't touch because they were afraid of controversy.

I blame her lower than normal sales on this being Spring and not Fall. All of her past CD's came out after August.

I also blame the country music fans who are buying the same stuff you can hear over and over on country radio for nothing.

[areyoureadytojump]

Billboard.com:

Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing" slips 5-9 with 37,000 (-33%).

[areyoureadytojump]

5/12 chart

9 MCBRIDE*MARTINA WAKING UP LAUGHING 37,116 -33% 55,089 277,038

[reception]

McBride takes action against alleged stalker

NASHVILLE (AP) - Country star Martina McBride has received an order of protection against a man charged with stalking her.

Ricky D. Fissel, 42, is charged with stalking McBride after he came to her home twice in early April.

The singer's husband, John McBride, said in court papers that Fissel came to the door and asked if the singer was home around 10 p.m. on April 1.

John McBride told the man to get off the property, but Fissel returned a week later around 9:15 p.m. to ask him "who lives here?" before speeding off.

After John McBride identified Fissel in a photo lineup, a search at Fissel's home revealed a newspaper article with Martina McBride's photo circled with hearts drawn around it, the legal statement said.

The singer was in court Tuesday seeking the protection order. A spokeswoman did not immediately return a phone message for comment.

Fissel is to appear in general sessions court on the mental health docket May 11, court officials said.

[areyoureadytojump]

5/19 chart

19 MCBRIDE*MARTINA WAKING UP LAUGHING 27,773 -25% 37,116 304,039

[areyoureadytojump]

5/26 chart

13 MCBRIDE*MARTINA WAKING UP LAUGHING 37,420 27,773 +35% 340,311 (no cert)

[marcjm]

Dang, I'm wondering how did her sales increase by 35%. Maybe it's the Mother's Day Sales because I was going to get my future mother-in-law this CD for Mother's Day, but she already had it.

[areyoureadytojump]

It was Mother's day sales.

[areyoureadytojump]

Billboard:

ARTIST: MARTINA MCBRIDE

SINGLE: HOW I FEEL

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Martina McBride's latest collection, "Wake Up Laughing," is proof that the gifted chanteuse is so much more than just that incredible voice. The disc showcases the depth of McBride's talent as she steps into her own as producer and songwriter. She co-wrote this latest single and serves up a sweet look at the sheer exuberance of being with the one you love. It's a light, frothy concoction that's perfect for summertime radio. And needless to say, McBride's performance is shimmering perfection. It's a solid follow-up to recent smash "Anyway," and one more reason that this is an album not to be missed.