Comments on: Rebecca Lynn Howard, No Rules

By: Russ

Russ — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:31:24 +0000

“What Dying Feels Like” has one of the most stunning vocal performances I’ve heard in a long awhile. Gives me chills.

By: Leeann Ward

Leeann Ward — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:50:52 +0000

Hey Paul,

Thanks for your support of Country Universe.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Great review! Dang. Makes me want to go pick this cd up. She’s pretty awesome, and a heck of a writer. I’ve enjoyed her gospel music as much as anything, and I hate that this city can be so… messed up sometimes – I mean, win a Grammy and get dropped? yeah. But she rocks and that’s why she still has a career.

(on the side, congrats on the new site – looks good – and I’ve updated the link I’ve had on my site to reflect the new spot)

Paul

By: J.R. Journey

J.R. Journey — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:48:10 +0000

Thanks for clarifying Blake … I planned to get this album either way. Her sophomore CD, ‘Forgive’ was simply brilliant – the title track was only one of several gems including “Jesus And Bartenders”, “It Didn’t Look Like Alcohol” and “Life Had Other Plans”.

Remarkable talent, that Rebecca Lynn Howard.

By: Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:19:15 +0000

Jim O, “Sing” is the standout track from No Rules for me as well. Love it!

By: Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:15:40 +0000

Good point Blake about the upside of relative obscurity allowing for more creative freedom. Especially when the artist is signed with a label such as Sagauro, which really seems to value quality work above all.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:11:37 +0000

RLH sings one of the greatest break-up songs ever: “Hard to Be Together”. The harmony that accompanies the ache in her voice is enough to drag up any old heartache.

By: Blake Boldt

Blake Boldt — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:12:50 +0000

@Steve: Howard would be a worthy addition to contemporary country music and the mainstream marketplace, I agree. But if her creative freedom allows her to make fine albums like this, she may be best served on the fringes of the industry. You're right-Saguaro is setting up a nice artist lineup. @J.R. Journey: The praise for Howard is warranted, of course. I felt that she went in "shrieking diva" (there it is again!) mode a few times, especially on the remakes, which hurt her IMO. But overall, she sang in ways that were only in service to the song. No Rules is an interesting case. 3.5 stars is, more or less, a recommendation to listen. I myself have no strong reservations about the album, besides some excessive belting and 2-3 tracks that were mediocre. Ratings are a difficult exercise, as you can imagine, and my hesitations about the album, honestly, aren't completely quantifiable. The highlights are here for all to see, and there are no clear black marks on No Rules. I'll try to explain as best as I can. The only drawback to having such a diversity of musical styles is that the listener may not find the appeal in all of them. And there's a wider disparity on No Rules than most albums released under the broad definition of country music. Is it an out-and-out weakness? No. But a certain cohesion is lost in the effort. Although I personally thought Howard handled the task ably, I can understand how the average listener would be a little thrown at the shifting in styles. That being said, I recommend No Rules and hope Howard follows her creative impulses going forward.

By: Jim O

Jim O — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:03:45 +0000

I listened to this album back in the summer and ““Sing ‘Cause I Love To” was the standout track for me and I kind of got stuck on that. I never gave the rest of the album a second listen.

Thanks for explaining the history of some of the cover songs.

I shall go back and listen to the whole thing again with a more informed ear.

By: J.R. Journey

J.R. Journey — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:10:59 +0000

Awesome review as usual, Blake. But for all the praise you heaped on the album, only three and a half stars?