Search - Sherrie Austin :: Love In The Real World [ENHANCED CD]

Ambrosia from country's Romantic Idealist

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 06/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I thought the new face of country was going to be populated by the likes of Shania Twain, the Dixie Chicks, and Faith Hill, who carry catchy tunes, cross over to the pop charts (read oat-flavored pop tarts), and who make themselves into pin-ups to push sales. However upon hearing Sherrie Austin's Love In The Real World, it was as if I'd tasted ambrosia instead of sugar. The music is, to quote from "All The Love A Heart Can Hold," "sweet as honeysuckle on the vine." But honeysuckle and nectar might also be what flows in her veins as well.It is pop-like in places, and even features mandolins, bazoukis, and electric sitars. The catchy "Never Been Kissed," "Little Bird," "Heart Hold On," "Heart To Heart," and "All That Matters" could easily have been singles on either chart. And she can hold her own ballad-wise--check out "That's No Way To Break A Heart" and the closer "Wish," which in the beginning, has her being granted a wish from an angel, and she wishes for her dear one to always love her instead of wishing for an end to poverty or war. At the song's end, she uses 20/20 hindsight and says she would have used her one wish to have three wishes, and THEN wish for all three. Intuitive and genuine, Sherrie!The only deviation to her themes is the title track, which might be a romantic's dream gone sour due to reality. "What happens to happy-ever-after" she asks of a typical couple living in the modern age?Sherrie's got the same vocal pitch as Susanna Hoffs, sugary but with her own brand of sass. And there are no songs about pick-up trucks, divorces, abused spouses, etc. Take a trip through her mind and you'll discover a tried and true idealist, someone who sings of feelings and love rather than mundane everyday things (except for the title track). She also kicks herself a bit for being selfish in "Wish," which romantics do at times. The sad thing is that her brand of country isn't pushing units like the big three above, but the good thing is that she's doing her own thing, standing out from the crowd as a true romantic. There's hope in her songs. So far, she hasn't gone the tarting up route as Shania or Faith. Keep it up, Princess Charming, and stay authentic!"

Only The Beginning

Cliff | Canton, Ohio | 03/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sherrie Austin is much more than just a beautiful face. She has a very distinct voice and style that is very refreshing in a time where it seems record companies are recording far to many sound-a-like singers. I enjoyed every song on the CD which is unusual, most times CD's have a couple of good ones and a bunch of fillers."

I underwent a conversion!

Cliff | 12/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD by Sherrie Austin was an impulse buy after listening to "Never Been Kissed" on the radio. I've never been much of a country fan, but after being exposed to this album, I'm hooked. The songs stay in my head thoughout the day; a nice variety of upbeat tunes, slow ballads, and good stories. I find myself reaching for this CD again and again. I feel like I've found a secret treasure of music! If only more of these songs would get radio play - this is the perfect album."