Jun 10, 2009

99 Cent Review: Gretchen Wilson

Gretchen Wilson - If I Could Do It All Again

The People's Take

Noisey and distracting (1 star) – Phoooey! I love Gretchen and almost bought the new single unheard. Glade I gave it a listen. "If I Could Do It All Again" should be done again without all the noise!
by phuky
Editor's note: Come again? I'm thinking phuky accidentally previewed a new Sonic Youth song.

Does not have the same edgy feel (3 stars) –
Gretchen needs to get her act together and start writing those hardcore drinking fighting in a parkinglot songs this song does not do justice she is selling out
by musicman55456
Editor's note: No, I didn't make that review up.


My Take

Comeback attempt #24 (or is it #25?) sees Gretchen Wilson gracefully confessing that if she could magically jet onto the Lost island and turn the frozen donkey wheel to go back a few years (but not to the 70's though, no way she'd trade jeans for jumpsuits, but then again, she might dig that Dharma beer!) she'd do a lot of things different (that sounds familiar). First listen I thought... here we go, another listing song. Yawn. Guns n' Roses was next alphabetically on iTunes so I checked out "Welcome to the Jungle" to cleanse my palate and came back for another play. This time around, I had a completely different reaction. It felt more like a logical line of heartfelt admissions than a listing song...Gretchen's sincerity came through loud and clear. It's a tune that travels a heavily trodden path, but it walks its own steps at its own pace. That said, "If I Could Do It All Again" is very reminiscent of Tim McGraw's "My Next 30 Years" in tone and also in the way it seems perfectly tailored to the singer's life experiences and isn't simply a laundry list of regrets. It's a mature song that fans of Gretchen should relate to as easily as they did "Redneck Woman." It may also pull in a few new fans with its honest delivery and relatable topic. It's no classic but this sounds like a hit, and despite being right in the country-rock vein, it sounds way more country than most of its contemporaries. Here's hoping Gretchen doesn't have to take her earrings off and whoop some radio programmers' asses.

Total value: .75/.99
One More Editor's Note: This was the first .99 review song that actually cost me $1.29 but it's easier to keep .99 as the standard, so the top potential value will remain at that amount.

The Checklist

Check mark symbolChurch/God
Check mark symbolMama (being one... does that count?)
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Lost LoveCheck mark symbolLove
Hometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Truck
Whiskey
Beer
Check mark symbolLife Affirmation
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power

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