Album Review: Sara Evans - Slow Me Down

With the title track and lead single off the album already a hit, Sara Evans is ready to return with Slow Me Down, her latest 10 track collection of new material. How does the album stack-up against her past material and other material on the market? Let's find out!

Even when Evans goes for straight pop-country, as happens during “Can’t Stop Loving You,” a duet with The Fray’s Isaac Slade, she’s somewhat effective – even though the traditional music fan in my blood much prefers the A-list vocalist getting more down home. The way she spars with a Dobro counterpart during “Good Love Is Hard to find,” in contrast, is simply heavenly. 

There are tracks on this latest release where Evans is obviously going for radio airplay, as on “Gotta Have You,” which has a chorus that might have you confusing the singer with Lady Antebellum. “Put My Heart Down” similarly leans a little too closely to Lady A. Evans is too established an artist, with an individualistic style, to have borrow from that flavor of the moment. The big ballad of “Slow Me Down” doesn’t even pretend to be country. Same goes for the duet with Gavin DeGraw on “Not over you.” Faith Hill and Martina McBride already excel at these Country-in-name-only songs, so it’d sure be nice if Evans staked out a larger piece of purer Country acreage, instead. 

Even so, she can be forgiven for getting a little overly Maroon 5 with “Sweet Spot,” which bops along nicely, along with some happy-go-lucky whistling accompaniment. A girl has every right to sound like she’s having fun, which is exactly how Evans sounds here.

It’s impossible to find any fault with Evans actual singing on Slow Me Down. She’s a lot like Reba, in that even on admittedly pop songs, she still sounds divine. That doesn’t mean those of us that like her Country singing won’t still complain a little, the same way we do with Reba. One is left thinking Slow Me Down is good, but would have been better if only…  If only there weren’t so many conspicuous radio singles. If only there wasn’t so much studio sheen; if only the high tech aural elements had been scrapped for a little more acoustic instrumentation.

With all that said, though, what’s left is ‘the voice.’ And ‘the voice’ covers for a multitude of sonic missteps. If you’re a fan of Evans’ singing style, you’ll find plenty to enjoy with Slow Me Down. However, those still trying to keep the flame of traditional country music alive will have problems with the mixed messages sent out via this latest full-length. Evans sounds to be going in two different directions at the same time. Even the Bible tells us it’s impossible to serve two masters, as you’ll love one and hate the other. Therefore, Sara, please slow down and pick a side. Choose well, because a beautiful, natural singing voice is a terrible thing to waste. Stay tuned because this journey is certain to be filled with surprises, with no clear destination in sight.

To read lyrics to any of these or other Sara Evans songs, click here.

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