My intial review (written after only 2 or 3 listens) is gone but now I've have several months to live with this disc and played it dozens of times as well as see her live for the 8th time. This CD has really grown on me. It is far more introspective than anything she has done before and closest musically to the underappreciated "Never Enough" album, but only in that it's more an "experimental" sound (like Never Enough was). The album starts strong with Breakdown, Angels Would Fall and Stronger Than Me, all three are fairly typical Melissa songs about the pain inherent in relationships- whatever kind they might be. Angels, the single, is actually the weakest of the 3. The first taste of something different is the brooding power ballad Into the Dark. Moody and atmospheric may best describe this descent into the soul. "Enough of Me" return to a more rock tone with lyrics that cut to the heart, perhaps her best ever. "Truth of the Heart" follows, an enjoyable song but not anything special. The dance rhythms last seen on Never Enough resurface on "Mama I'm Strange" a lament/declaration of alternate sexuality with a fun beat and happy feel. The emotional highpoint of the record is "Scarecrow" The imagery is disturbing and heartfelt. It took me 7 or 8 times through the album before I could listen to this track without crying. It's a tough song to follow which is why i think "How Would I know" is the weak link on the CD. It's only an OK Melissa song and it's placement on the disc guarentees it's unmemorableness. The final two songs (on the regular release)are ballads, both packed with typical Melissa emotions and by themselves are strong songs, but placed as they are, they end the album on a low note (although it's hard to see the song "Sleep" anywhere else but ending the disc)

The 3 bonus songs are easily as good as anything on the album, although the first one, "Touch & Go" is the weakest, souunding like a leftover from earlier days. "Cherry Avenue" ressurects the dance beat and fun attitude of "...Strange" and makes getting enhanced disc worth it. Lyrically "Beloved" sounds like a rewrite of previous Melissa lyrics and being on the same disc as the similar "My Lover" makes it hard for this track to hold it's own, although taken by itself it is a wonderful peice of music.

A final note: the "enhanced" packaging is shoddy, with liner notes & lyrics only available in the multimedia portion, which needs to be closed down to play the disc on your computer. Very poor design.

This is one of the best albums of all time. You know an album is good when you keep going back to it, over and over again. This is a veritable addiction! Every time my wife and I get in the car, this album ends up in the player.

"Breakdown" is a true classic. "Mama I'm Strange" is eerily haunting with a really cool guitar riff. Everything else on this album stands easily on its own for quality of writing and musicianship.

If you want a really good album that isn't a waste of time and money, then get this one. It will be an old friend in no time.

Melissa Etheridge had gone four long years without releasing an album. Being a long-time fan, I was waiting impatiently for "Breakdown". The day it came out, I drove twenty-five miles, the nearest music store from my town, to buy the CD. However, I only had one hour and a half to get back home to watch "That 70's Show". That day, I listened to it. I discovered that "Breakdown's" quality was worth the long adventure.

She pours her heart and soul honestly and bluntly through every track she sings. "Angels Would Fall" stands out the entire CD. "Scarecrow" is a magnificent, heartfelt dedication to the late Matthew Shepard. "Breakdown", the track, expresses how "nuts" she goes sometimes, one of the more honest of the CD.

"Breakdown's" raw emotions prove that one could debate if Etheridge is the next Janis Joplin. Any fan of either of the two brilliant artists will love this CD.

Melissa Etheridge has been off the rock and roll circut for almost 3 years, but comming back in 1998 to release such a powerful album "BREAKDOWN" shows that she may have been gone but not out of it. There are so many powerful songs on this album such as "scarecrow" a song written for Matthew Shepard. "Enough of me" is also a heartfelt and powerful song with verses that leave you hanging on the edge of you seat and waiting for more. I think I speak for all of Melissa Etheridge fans when I say... Welcome back, and keep it up.

Melissa Etheridge reaches deep into the depths of her soul for this one. The album consists of 11 tracks that will touch you emotionally in some way. These heartfelt songs speak to the lonely and outcast. Feelings of break-ups, finding oneself, love lost and found, bigotry, honesty, and the confusing feelings of sexuality are the themes of this wonderful album..

Etheridge's voice is beautiful and soothing, and she captures just the right emotions and feelings for each song. In the song "Scarecrow" which she dedicates to the memomry of Matthew Shepard, his family and friends, she says :
"showers of your crimson blood
seep into a nation calling up a flood
thinly veiled intolerance
bigotry and hate....

I can't forget hard as I try
this silhoutte against the sky"

Other songs included are of course,the powerful "Breakdown", "Angels Would Fall", a very touching, "Mama I'm Strange",, and the beautiful "Sleep".(See buying info for complete track listings).

The music, musicians, and Melissa are outstanding. The album is an excellent quality, and includes a fold out pamphlet with all the words to the songs. It runs a little over 50 minutes in total. The CD is enhanced for viewing on a pc, and has instructions for pc and mac users (Quicktime 3.0 or better is required).

Etheridge fans will get lost deeply in this beautifully done album.

Laurie

also recommended:Boys On The Side: Original Soundtrack Album