Search - Kim Richey :: Glimmer

Glimmer
Kim Richey
Glimmer
Genres: Country, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

Kim Richey's first two albums fit, one way or another, into that vague sound called alternative country, but like many other acts in the genre (Old 97's, Wilco), Richey has mostly chosen to leave country behind for the sou...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Kim Richey
Title: Glimmer
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 2
Label: Mercury Nashville
Original Release Date: 8/3/1999
Release Date: 8/3/1999
Genres: Country, Pop, Rock
Style: Today's Country
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 731453888821, 0731453888821

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Kim Richey's first two albums fit, one way or another, into that vague sound called alternative country, but like many other acts in the genre (Old 97's, Wilco), Richey has mostly chosen to leave country behind for the sound of pure pop. Glimmer sounds less like a poppy Steve Earle and more like a barely twangy Fleetwood Mac or Sam Phillips, which would be wonderful except she doesn't pull it off. The problem's not the absence of twang; it's the absence of any pop appeal to do her songs justice. Throughout, producer Hugh Padgham fashions similar arrangements that bury Richey's rich voice and subtle hooks in atmospheric washes: strings that never soar, keyboards that noodle, guitars that jangle prettily--the album seems textureless. Consequently, even gripping songs like "Didn't I," "Hello Old Friend," and "The Way It Never Was" come off disappointingly flat. There are glimmers of insight in these cuts, but they deserved to shine. --David Cantwell

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Member CD Reviews

Natalie M. from HUNTINGTN BCH, CA
Reviewed on 8/10/2006...
Not her best CD. Too "pop" sounding for my taste.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

CD Reviews

A Love/Hate Relationship
K. Hall | Corvallis, Oregon | 02/17/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is not only the way to describe a majority of the songs on the album, but the way some fans will feel about this new album. (For those of you who don't know Kim, start with her freshman or sophomore album.) While it's true she's traded in a lot of the country sound that sort of fringed her albums for some McClachanesque riffs, she retains her charm and emotion. Check out "Come Around," for instance. Pop? Yes, but Kim delivers it with the haunting atmosphere it deserves. "Strength in You" borders on what could be called driving country-rock, and "Gravity" is an amazing country-roots ballad once it grows on you. On the other hand, country/Americana fans may balk at Kim's pop crossover. In some ways, it sounds a little typical of top-40. In other ways, it remains true to Kim's style. Though it didn't have the staying power of "Bitter Sweet" or her self-titled, "Glimmer" has found its way into my CD player again and again.If this is what it takes to sell, bring it on, Kim. Just please don't become a Faith Hill or Leean Rimes.*Not* for "pop-country" fans."
Pop Album of the year in Nashville but.......
Eric S. | 11/17/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Im not sure why - but when its all hands to the deck.... at a record company - an album is plugged and suddenly its the next best thing since sliced bread.I am a huge Kim Richey fan dont get me wrong - but this album just appears to have lost its soul. If Mercury were brave enough to admit and the artist herself. Sometimes sales figures just should pale into insignificance. With Hugh Padgham in charge of the sounds maybe this is the answer to the mystery - he killed one of Trisha Yearwoods albums and it was one of her poorist albums saleswise. Kim Richey may find new fans via the Come Around track but if you were to hear songs like Lonesome Side Of Town - Fallin - Why Cant I Say Goodnight (from the awesome Bittersweet effort) I could imagine that the fans would come in their thousands rather than in their hundreds. Sadly the sales didn't come when this was first released (Bittersweet) Goodness knows why - hence I can imagine the change of direction.There are some great sounds on Glimmer - like Other Side Of Town - The Way It Never Was - So It Goes but there is a missing element which separates a track from 'being' eternally implanted in the memory and just being 'ordinary'.You want something in the memory banks then try songs like Dont Let Me Down Easy and Straight As The Crow Flies (awesome) again from 'Bittersweet' and ALL SONGS from the self titled 'Kim Richey' debut.Please dont be fooled by the misconception that this is Kims best effort - please listen to all the other alternatives to get a complete overview of her immense talent."