Cry

10/17/2002 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Mike Lipton

On Faith Hill's latest, the mega-selling country-crossover star continues the transformation that began on Breathe, effectively leaving any traces of country music in the dust (which, these days isn't such a bad idea) and turning her attention toward an earthier blend of pop and rock.

A more personal statement than her past efforts, the disc begins with "Free," an emancipation tune (penned by Nashville ace Beth Nielsen Chapman) with a deep groove and a percussion track that would make Jennifer Lopez proud. Continuing the theme, on "This Is Me," Hill chose a song that celebrates both her weaknesses and her strengths ("My heart breaks for the homeless, I worry about my parents/I cry just like everybody else"), as if to make a point of stepping off the superstar pedestal. Not surprisingly, the arrangements owe more to rock than country. "Cry" is reminiscent of REO-styled arena ballads of the '80s, and the muscular "One" would fit nicely on a Joan Osborne record.

Still, while there are telltale signs of over-production (unnecessary orchestration, lines and lines of production and engineering credits), this is definitely a singer's record. "When The Lights Go Down" and "Unsaveable" give full range to Hill's soaring and, yes, soulful, vocals. "Stronger" and "You’re Still Here" move into the territory popular with singers like Shelby Lynne and Sheryl Crow. If you're the visual sort, the photos of a sensuous, bronzed (and, inside, a tantalizing wet-look headshot) Hill complete the package.

Hill may get slammed by critics from both sides for delving this far into pop but, not only is her performance more passionate than the majority of pop recordings, it's a direction that seems to fit both musically and emotionally.