Wynonna's revelations are underwhelming

by Scott Moore

Absolute truth seems to be something artists and musicians are often attempting to define these days. Country music artists, however, have of late been more interested with tricky, classic-rock oriented beats and catchy hook lines.

Amidst this desert of freshman-level jingles, one female artist has released an album that tries to provide insights into that elusive subject of truth.

After thumbing her nose at conservative country music brass by having a baby out of wedlock, and sitting out a year to parent, a whole legion of fans were eagerly awaiting revelations, the third album from Wynonna.

The results are disappointingly tame. Gone are the simple sentiments of "His Only Need" or the world-weary, straight-forward rocking of "Girls With Guitars."

For now she seems perfectly content to inhabit the middle of the road, apparently in an attempt to broaden her appeal with pop audiences.

Don't get me wrong, the album is not a total failure. She starts off with the wistful ballad, "To Be Loved By You." The sound is lush. It resonates with an aching sensuality, and Wynonna pulls it all off beautifully.

She follows this with the harder-edged "Somebody to Love You," bold and impetuous as ever. Crooning lyrics like "Love ain't no good till you give it away" with such charming confidence, I forgave the lack of originality in the sentiment and allowed myself to get caught up in the rocking beat.

Pretty classic Wynonna stuff, huh? Well, not exactly. The album quickly disintegrates into mediocrity with the light-rock flavored "Change the World." This along with "Heaven Help My Heart" and "Love By Grace" are pretty tunes at best and instantly forgettable at worst.

"My Angel is Here" is an attempt to duplicate the '60s girl group sound that worked so well for Pam Tillis in last year's hit, "Every Time That You Walk in the Room."

The song, however, doesn't fit the voice. Wynonna sounds clumsy and self-conscious, lacking the cutesy girlishness the material requires.

Another serious lapse of judgment is the inclusion of a uninspired cover of Leonard Skynyrd's "Free Bird." Musically, the song seems to meander without purpose and Wynonna's pronunciation is horrible. She uses her characteristic scowl to note-lagging excess, sounding almost drunk.

For me, the highlight of the album was the tender "Don't Look Back." The simple message of letting lost loves stay lost was subtly revealed in the simple piano/percussion arrangement that perfectly matched Wynonna's flawless vocal delivery.

What highlighted the problems of this whole effort was the closing song "Dance! Shout!" It is studied formula. It lacks the spontaneity of the African-American gospel it tries to copy and the down-home emotion of country gospel. Maybe she should title this album Still Searching.

Given, however, her young age and her tremendous voice, I can't give up on a talent like Wynonna. If she ever does have a genuine revelation, I would be the first in line to buy it.