Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ RCA) - After 16 million in sales and 22 top 10 singles, some artists might be afraid to tinker with success and tempt fate. But not Martina McBride. Following up on her platinum-selling Timeless album, a poignant collection of country classics representing her first effort as solo producer, she's at the production helm again for her ninth studio release, Waking Up Laughing, due out April 3.
Since her debut in 1992, McBride has maintained a consistent presence on the country charts, including six number one singles, and has also enjoyed crossover success in the pop and adult contemporary genres. Always striving for new artistic heights, McBride is breaking new ground by serving as producer, writer and artist for her latest album, which includes three songs she co-wrote with the Warren Brothers and other top songwriters.
Her debut single, "Anyway," one of those co-writes, is the fastest rising single of her career currently at No. 7 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs. In a Billboard review, Chuck Taylor called it a "grand, skyscraping power ballad" and noted that as the song "builds to its emotional peak, McBride delivers the hoped-for wallop on the money notes, sending a million-dollar chill of inspiration."
In a New York Times concert review, Kelefah Sanneh writes, "She has a rich, elegant voice and an extraordinary knack for controlling it. She hits the big notes without hammering them; when she slowly bends a note up or down you can feel - see, almost - the gentle curve."
Indeed, McBride is revered for her powerhouse voice and known for passionate lyrics that have created such signature hits as "Independence Day," "Blessed," "Wild Angels" and "This One's for the Girls." Her latest release is sure to add to that cache, from the fiddle-laced rocker, "If I Had Your Name" (Hillary Lindsey/Steve McEwan/Gordon Sampson), to the exquisite "Tryin' to Find a Reason" (Tommy Lee James/Jeremy Stover), featuring Keith Urban on harmony vocals and guitar solo.
McBride also shows off her writing chops on the Beatlesque "How I Feel" (co-written with the Warren Brothers, Chris Lindsey and Aimee Mayo), featuring the Nashville String Machine, and the haunting "Beautiful Again," which juxtaposes stirring lyrics with joyful music (also written with Brett and Brad Warren, along with Nick Trevisick).
Another attitude-tinged rocker, "Cry, Cry" (Marv Green/Chris Lindsey/Hillary Lindsey/Aimee Mayo); the beautiful ballad "I'll Still Be Me" (Tammy Hyler/Rachel Thibodeau); and the socially conscious "For These Times," (Leslie Satcher) rounds out the 11-song album.
All told, this is the perfect CD to revel in McBride's stunning voice showcased by sensational lyrics and musicianship from some of Nashville 's best writers and players. With Waking Up Laughing, McBride delivers the goods on arguably her best creative effort yet.
