Lori McKenna "Unglamorous" Era: August 14

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Website:

www.lorimckenna.com

MySpace:

www.myspace.com/lorimckenna

[SHOOTER]

I wanna hear "Your Next Lover".

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Aug 13, 3:27 PM EDT
Review: Lori McKenna's `Unglamorous'

By MICHAEL McCALL
For The Associated Press

Lori McKenna, "Unglamorous" (Stylesonic/Warner Bros.)

With "Unglamorous," Lori McKenna steps beyond the acoustic settings of her singer-songwriter past for a more dynamic sound better suited to arenas than coffeehouses. The good news is that the best aspects of her songs and her voice make the transition; this is outstanding contemporary country music presented with a storyteller's eye for nuance and detail.

Until two years ago, McKenna created stripped-down albums steeped in the intimate style of Boston's folk clubs, where the married mother of five first drew attention. She remained a well-regarded singer-songwriter with a cult following until Faith Hill recorded three of McKenna's songs for her 2005 album, "Fireflies," including the hit "Stealing Kisses."

McKenna quickly got signed Hill's label, Warner Bros., appeared on "Oprah," and began opening arena shows for Hill and her husband, Tim McGraw. "Unglamorous" is the Boston native's first album recorded in Nashville and co-produced by McGraw and his longtime collaborator, Byron Gallimore.

The guitars and drums kick much harder, but McKenna's strengths remain the same. She writes finely detailed stories about a wife and mother who struggles to keep passion in her life ("I'm Not Crazy") and to stay deeply connected to her husband ("Witness to Your Life," "I Know You").

McKenna's songs work because she doesn't simplify marriage and parenting into slogans, but instead explores all the complexities with gutsy honesty.

CHECK THIS OUT: In the title song, "Unglamorous," McKenna uses details of a bustling, financially struggling household to create an anthem that glorifies those families that make it work despite the obstacles.

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9/1 chart

109 NEW MCKENNA*LORI UNGLAMOROUS 6,341 999 6,352