Negative Positive
Title: Wanted: better production
Review: Essence really points out how important production is. Gone is the interesting instrumentation (accordians, mandolins, layers of guitar etc..)of her previous records. With the exception of a couple tracks, gone are the interesting male/female vocal harmonies. Even though these songs are her weakest batch so far, they could have been rescued with some interesting production in the vein of Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. She would have been wise to put these songs in the hands of a Steve Earle or Roy Brittan because they fall so flat on the energy front. It almost seems like she was too close to the project or was surrounded by people that weren't being honest with her. I bought it and will keep it, but I am disappointed that the bad taste of this record will linger until she redeems herself with more of the great work that we have come to expect from her. She should have released a live record to tide over the fans until these songs were ready.
Is the review positive or negative? 