Mindy McCready - I'm Not So Tough

By now, folks buying Mindy McCready albums know what they're getting into. If McCready's far from a devastating singer, she's also far from incompetent, and when she has solid material like Matraca Berg's "All I Want Is Everything," this album's most traditional-country-flavored track, or the road song "Tumble and Roll," she's capable of enough emotional vigor to pull them off. Unfortunately, her third record lacks much in the way of memorable songs, and whereas her previous two outings hinted at a feminist edge, the 23-year-old McCready now strikes a conventional desperate-for-love vulnerability and often a pouting vocal style. Invariably, the weaker the tune, the more she resorts to cloying whispers and chirps. If I'm Not So Tough has any highlights, they're to be found in Glen Duncan and Larry Franklin's soulful fiddle breaks and Paul Franklin's tasty pedal steel, which, to McCready's credit, are given plenty of room to roam. --Roy Kasten Amazon.com

More Country, Distinctively Mindy

This CD, her last for BNA records, is upbeat and fun, bouncing back from her disappointing second release. Even though it failed to register with country radio, its a good record that stays country while displaying Mindy's diversity. "All I Want Is Everything", which peaked at #57, showcases traditional country with Mindy's trademark attitude. It should have done better, but maybe by this point the public didn't know what to expect from her.

This CD is an excellent example of contemporary country like Mindy's first record. This may be better music, but Mindy's reputation was then and is now higher profile than her music. At any rate, this is unexpectedly good. Give this a chance, especially if you've listened to any of her better known material and liked it. Ignore the personal/tabloid issues like the previous insulting and humiliating review; this woman can sing and delivers the goods here. August 28, 2008

Roger that!

Hmmm, now l can see why Roger Clemens threw low and inside. lf you know what l mean. April 30, 2008

Third Time Not the Ticket

Mindy declined some on this CD from her excellent previous two CDs. The tunes are catchy, but rather less substantial. Less genuine emotion comes through [tho Mindy is able to convey it], and they're more bubblegummy. That said, this is still a thoroughly listenable album. Good tunes:

I'm Not So Tough
Tumble and Roll
All I Want is Everything
2 Different Things - the first 3 listed are fast, this one is slower, but quite good

I've Got a Feeling - good, quick tune

Lucky Me - ironical statement by a girl who has the "hot guy" and should be thankful for it, supposedly.

Take Me Apart July 9, 2007

"I'm not so Tough"

This is an excellent album. There's something for everyone. It's a bit out of order but it's actually a chronology of love. The beginning, the middle, nearing the end, the end, starting over w/ baggage and so on. "I'm not so tough" is the starting over w/ baggage song which really is an anthem to men. It says, "I may have walls but if you give me chance I'll let you inside." "Tumble and Roll" is the middle. "All I want is everything" is the post breakup anthem when you're tired of hurting but want the fairy tale because its safe and unattainable. "Two different things" is the break up. "Dream On" is the song for when you've fallen in love but it's time to say goodnight or like someone else referred the long distance love has to go home. "I've got a feeling" is the anticipation of being with the one which you've fallen in love. "Thunder and Roses" is the dance of dating before you find a lasting love. "Over and Over" is when you just realize you are falling in love and you can't get enough of being with this new person. When the past is forgotten and the now is all that there is. "Lucky me" is one of the bads before the good when you just want to throw in the towel. "Hold me" is when you've been in a relationship for a while and you need the tender touch of love. It's about making things feel better and not taking each other for granted. "Take me apart" is when you first meet someone and you want them to take a chance. So my only complaint about the album is the lack of chronology. It should have been:

LUCKY ME
THUNDER & ROSES
TAKE ME APART
OVER AND OVER
DREAM ON
I'VE GOT A FEELING
TUMBLE AND ROLL
HOLD ME
TWO DIFFERENT THINGS
ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING
I'M NOT SO TOUGH

Then maybe some people would get the story the album tells. Like most country songs, the album tells a story. Some of the songs may be missing that country flare but one only has to look and hear the album as a whole to realize its there just not where they've been looking. I highly recommend this album especially to anyone in one of these stages of love. May 23, 2006

I'm Not So Tough Track by Track

1. I'm Not So Tough- 5/5 This song is about showing your softer side in a relationship and letting go of past relationships that may have left you kinda bitter.

2. Tumble And Roll- 5/5 Very cute.. when you're in love sometimes you just wanna let go and be as crazy and spontaneous as you can, and that's basically what this song is saying.

3. All I Want Is Everything- 5/5 This is the "Material Girl" song for country music. It's adorable and sounds great!!

4. Two Different Things- 5/5 I think this is a perfect break up song. Sometimes when you're in a relationship something happens where you just need to let go, but you don't want to let go. I think this song says all that perfectly.

5. Dream On- 5/5. I love this song!!! It's about a long distance relationship. Everything on this song is great.... the lyrics, the music, and Mindy's voice.

6. I've Got A Feeling- 5/5 Ok I'm kinda confused by the meaning of the song. It's either about two people finally being able to be a couple, or finally being able to "hook up" (and you know what I mean by that) either way the song sounds great!!

7. Thunder And Roses- 4/5 Good song about wanting something more passionate yet at the same time wanting something more tender.

8. Over And Over- 5/5 This song is about falling in love. I really could listen to this song "over and over and over and over, and over again"

9. Lucky Me- 5/5 AMAZING song. The only way to love this song is if you get the irony in it. It's written with this sarcasm that is so perfect!!!! I can't get enough of this song.

10. Hold Me- 4/5 The title says it all.. it's a song about showing love through affection such as holding. It's a good song but just a little too slow for me.

11. Take Me Apart- 5/5 Wonderful way to end this Cd!!! It's about falling in love.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Whether Mindy sings about being in love, wanting to be in love, falling out of love, or wanting everything.... it's gonna be a good song. I bought this CD at a used CD store for $3.99 *no joke* all I have to say is the other persons loss is definitely my gain. This is such a good CD!! November 17, 2003

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