“I Believe”
Diamond Rio
Written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees
Billboard
#1 (2 weeks)
May 31 – June 7, 2003
Most days I can’t be bothered with the “Is this country?” debate.
It seems to be fought on grounds of identity more than musicality these days, so it’s never interested me less. Because more than anything else, it’s been the combination of fiddle, steel guitar, a great voice, and compelling songwriting that made me a country fan for life. The more elements of the four that are present, the better.
Now Diamond Rio shows up with at least two of those things most of the time. They’ve got a great deer for material and they always sound great singing. In fact, Marty Roe has rarely sounded as effective as a lead singer as he does on this record. It’s clear he means every word he says, and he’s working with a heartbreaking lyric that is well timed for the post-9/11 landscape.
Unfortunately, they go with a sleek, contemporary Christian production here that feels too antiseptic for the vulnerable vocal performance, and Bluegrass-tinged harmonies that it supports. This comes off as music made by and made for the already saved.
If this had a bit more twang to really lean into the undercurrent of grief, it would be a more powerful record.
“I Believe” gets a B.
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It’s not a bad song and it’s a pretty good performance but like so much from this time frame it’s just ok. A good listen but nothing I would purchase or put on a playlist. I give it a “B-“.