 |  | Quality vocals, Image issues |  |
I like most of beautiful Floridian Mindy's sophmore effort, yet it feels like an attempt to sell her image, to cash in on the runaway success of "Ten Thousand Angels" rather than put out a cohesive country album. The choice of material, especially the cheesy "What If I Do", the production, and the sexy photos of Mindy in the CD are all about selling an image, discounting the wonderful voice and emotional power Mindy possesses. At her best, Mindy displays a gorgeous country/soul alto with just the right amount of independent girl-power attitude, while at its weakest, this album succumbs to being formulaic.
I'm tempted to call her so much "product," an attempt to cash in on the Shania-Faith bandwagon, but Mindy's better than that. She's more authentic, undeniably talented, and legitimately country. The one-time siren is a "what might have been" now; back in 1997 she seemed like the perfect combination of talent, beauty, and marketing. This is a good, not great CD, and while one professional reviewer termed this "abysmal", I would only agree that it is uneven. The musical direction of Mindy's career, not to mention the rest of her life, has been all over the place. I for one hope things get better for her.
July 1, 2008 | | If I Don't Stay The Night | |
This was the decline of Mindy's career and it's a shame because it's her best album. Her label did not like the material she chose on the album, songs like "Oh Romeo". The album's biggest hit was the top 10 single "You'll Never Know", which was done before by the songwriter, Kim Richey. "What If I Do" was a single but only cracked the top 30. The song is about being confused as to whether she should give into the pressure and succumb to desire, or maintain her dignity. There was another mild hit in the song "The Other Side of This Kiss". The album has some interesting songs for a country album, like "Cross Against The Moon" and "Oh Romeo". There's some great uptempo songs like "This Is Me" and "For A Good Time Call". Her cover of Linda Ronstadt's "Long, Long Time" is so heartbreaking but she does a great job. Other highlights include "Fine Art of Holding A Woman" and the title track. This is a great album so don't miss it!
October 12, 2003Mindy Mccready is a sexy and talented singer. This album doesn't cease to dissapoint. Get ready for a good time! Grade: A+
February 3, 2003Mindy McCready continues to shine on IF I DON'T STAY THE NIGHT, an excellent follow up to her successful 1996 debut album TEN THOUSAND ANGELS. She has obviously missed the sophomore slump with this album. It's a shame this album didn't do as good as it should have, only spanning two top ten hits (The Other Side of This Kiss and her cover of Kim Richey's You'll Never Know). The album is filled with great songs, that deal with real issues regarding relatioships. The sassy "What If I Do" or the ballad "If I Don't Stay The Night" deal with the indecisive feeling in a relationship of going all the way, or waiting until the time is right, and if the partner will respect that decision. "Oh Romeo" contradicts the Romeo and Juliet, where she affirms her love for her lover, but states she would not die for him. The haunting "Cross Against The Moon" will leave you speechless. "You'll Never Know" is a song about holding in your feelings and tears when seeing that ex lover, not letting them know how you truly feel. She does an excellent cover with Linda Ronstadt's "Long Long Time". "This Is Me" is an excellent confidence booster, about not willing to conform to fit other's expectations.
On this album Mindy decided not to wear any makeup for the pictures, after reading fan mail from girls who felt they weren't beautiful enough, so Mindy could show that she too has freckles and imperfections just like everyone else. There isn't enough good to say about this album, there is plenty of good material, its a shame she wasn't getting good promotion for it, give this one a try its one of her best albums, and one of the best country albums from the late 90's. October 2, 2001
Mindy McCready released this album in 1997. Her sophmore effort, If I Don't Stay The Night, is her most consistent work throughout all her albums. Not straying too far from the elements of her debut album Ten Thousand Angels, she continues to make great music.
The album though, was not well received with country radio. Witness the first single What If I Do. It's a fun, uptempo track that should have been a hit. Unfortunately, it only reached #26. The next single, the ballad You'll Never Know faired pretty well, reacing the top 10. Other singles were to follow such as The Other Side Of This Kiss.
Just because it wasnt a commercial success does not mean it was a failure. This is a very strong album. The quality in Mindy's voice has improved since Ten Thousand Angels. It's amazing how the emotion is delivered in each song. You feel as though Mindy is your friend and she is telling you a story through song.
Some standouts on this album include the title track, Cross Against The Moon and the Linda Ronstadt cover Long Long Time. The whole album is a pleasure to listen to. If you liked Ten Thousand Angels, there is an excellent chance you will like this one too. June 14, 2001
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