Love Somebody
Reba McEntire
Starstruck/Nash Icon/Big Machine
Four stars
Love Somebody is Reba McEntire’s best album of the 21st century because it draws on her strengths – subtly and powerfully interpreting substantial story songs about adult relationships set to contemporary country music.
At 60, she remains a remarkable vocalist, capable of stunning ferocity and dramatic nuance. She’s one of the great traditional country singers of her time, but prefers pushing herself to stay current.
Always ambitious, she errs only when she tries to appeal to radio with material too lightweight for her talent and maturity. Love Somebody strikes a perfect blend, especially on songs such as She Got Drunk Last Night and the title song.
Other highlights include a duet with Jennifer Nettles on Enough, dealing with a partner who leaves her feeling like she's not worth the effort he puts into the rest of his life, and the emotional ballad Just Like Them Horses, a tribute to her rodeo-champion father. McEntire proves that she still has far too much to say to rest on her laurels.
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