The Bottom Line
Country music's queen is back in solid form, trying new directions and
proving that age does not stop anyone from making hot new country music. Loretta's talents haven't dimmed one bit.
Pros
- Family Tree
- Story of my Life
- Miss Being Mrs
Cons
- None.
Description
- Another outstanding release from country music's most enduring female voice.
- A blend of sounds that's pure Loretta and still breathtakingly brand-new.
- Already one of her hottest-selling albums in years.
Guide Review - Van Lear Rose - Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is the Queen of Country Music for a reason. Her powerful longevity is demonstrated with some surprising, and awesome, tunes on her newest release, "Van Lear Rose." The disc begins with that old-fashioned honky-tonk sound that made Loretta a household name with the title track, a sweet pure country melody with Loretta's trademark biographical lyrics. But this lady's got a few surprises up her sleeve. Teaming up with a brand-new producer, Jack White (of the White Stripes), who also lends his vocals and impressive instrumental skill, Loretta stretches out into territory she's never gone into before, and boy, does she sound good doing it. When the second song, "Portland Oregon," begins, you by-golly sit up and take notice.Loretta's voice is in top form and her music is just getting better with time. "Van Lear Rose" stands to show how a legendary artist can embrace every form of music and make it their own, from pure Loretta standards such as "Story of My Life" and "Family Tree" to rollicking, rocking good tunes such as "Have Mercy" and "Mrs. Leroy Brown."
Country legends turning to rock and punk producers/collaborators is proving to be an amazing marriage of style and sound, and has resulted in another incredible piece of work. "Van Lear Rose" is a tremendous achievement for Loretta Lynn, proving that she can still knock the socks off anyone who listens to her. Every song's a winner, and she's as magic as ever. Long live the Queen.
