Forgive - Rebecca Lynn Howard

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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke

Country music has always been know for their singer-songwriters. However, aside from Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, too few women have actually been labeled a "singer-songwriter."

Recently artists like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kim Richey, Terri Clark and Carolyn Dawn Johnson have become popular singer-songwriters. While all these women have great voices, none have the voice that Rebecca Lynn Howard possesses. With a voice that rivals Martina McBride's, Rebecca Lynn is also a stellar songwriter.

By the time she released her self-titled record in 2000, Rebecca Lynn had amassed a large back catalog of songs for which John Michael Montgomery and Trisha Yearwood had picked a pair of songs. Yearwood recorded not only Rebecca Lynn's own "I Don't Paint Myself Into Corners" but "Melancholy Blue" the Harlan Howard penned song that Rebecca recorded on her first record.

When "Forgive," the new single and title track, was released I was shocked at the elegantly arranged lyrics. While the song features a decidedly modern musical background with Mark Wright's production style evident, the lyrics like "That's a mighty big word for such a small man, and I'm not sure that I can, cause I don't even know who I am, it's too soon for me to say forgive."

"Beautiful To You" is the opening track on the album and kind of has a "This Kiss" sound to it. No, it's not a copy recording yet the vocals remind me of that song. The music is upbeat and cheery. I can also see hints of the 80s pop rock bands "The Go-Go's" and "The Bangles" when I hear this song.

"Dancin' In God's Country" is a totally different sounding song than "Beautiful To You." After a infectious pop song opening the record, I didn't expect to hear this wonderful toe-taper. From the steel guitar to the fiddle to the dobro to the other "country" instruments to the lyrics about a country "hoedown," I feel as if I'm now fully entrenched in a Patty Loveless album.

"It Didn't Look Like Alcohol" is the true masterpiece of the album. Written with producer Trey Bruce, this song is about a man who's so down on his luck that he doesn't even "need" alcohol to show that he's "lost behind behind his tears." With the soft verses and soaring vocal choruses, this song showcases Rebecca Lynn's vocals strongly. This is the type of song that artists routinely look for over a career but never find. This should be a monster hit.

While Rebecca does write most her stuff, she knows a good song when she sees one and she found a pair of wonderful Leslie Satcher songs. "It's My Job To Fall" is a tender traditional country styled ballad that Leslie is know for writing. About a woman who is told by her man to not fall in love with him despite the fact she already has. The other Leslie Satcher track was co-written with Larry Cordle. "Jesus And Bartenders" is another stone country ballad about the two men who know troubled men when they see them.

"Memorized" is another soft and tender ballad. The catch here is that aside from the fiddle in the background, this song isn't a country song but an Adult Contemporary "gem" that is sure to be a hit on that chart. For those who don't know already, Rebecca Lynn already had a hit there with Jim Brickman's "The Simple Things" in 2001.

From the opening "Beautiful To You" to the closing gospel track "Softly And Tenderly" (also her first ever recorded song from The Apostle" movie soundtrack), Rebecca Lynn Howard has created along with her three producers a wonderful album that showcases her abilities as a Country vocalist who, like most other female contemporaries, isn't afraid to let her other influences to show. With more releases like Forgive Rebecca Lynn Howard is sure to become a household name within the music world.

Song List:

1. Beautiful To You
2. Dancin' In God's Country
3. It Didn't Look Like Alcohol
4. Life Had Other Plans
5. Forgive
6. It's My Job To Fall
7. Jesus And Bartenders
8. This Love
9. When Did You Ever Listen To Me
10. Memorized
11. Pink Flamingo Kind Of Love
12. Softly And Tenderly