Allison Moorer's "The Hardest Part" is the real thing. Following up on her critically acclaimed (but largely publically ignored)"Alabama Song" Moorer has put together a collection of songs that tell the story of true love. You won't find the country mainstream theme of "I love you, you love me, we'll live happily ever after" but rather the ins and outs of real live true love. She is very convincing as she dares her ex to say he's sorry just once more in "No Next Time" and in the title track where the line between living and leaving is beautifully blurred. But it's the hidden track where we see Moorer truly reveal her heart as she tells of her parent's tragic relationship.

Shania and Faith fans should pass on this one. But if you're hungry for some real country music from a real country diva then you'll really enjoy this new album by Allison Moorer. The hardest part about "The Hardest Part" is turning off the cotton picking CD player ........... it's that good!

"Life is Hard When Love is So Unkind." Those lyrics are the mantra of Allison Moorer's album "The Hardest Part." Moorer is a country music traditionlist as reflected by her songs. She has a strong, throaty voice, reminiscent of the finest blues belters. And her songs are not the happy Nashville fluff of such lightweights as Faith Hill and Shania Twain. Moorer sounds like she's been down that long lonely road of heartbreak and pain. The best songs are the opening title track, "Day You Said Goodbye," "No Next Time" and the hidden closing track, a bleak murder-suicide story that is as harrowing as anything I've ever heard. For fans of genuine country music, Moorer is the real deal.

I caught Allison Moorer on CNN late at night. She played "Send Down an Angel" on the guitar and it was truly moving and emotional. Promptly, I purchased the album and was pleasantly surprised to find the music as rich and personal as the solo performance. She has an amazing knack for expressing the simple truths that keep you up at night, just thinking. Found myself wondering, "What is she trying to say here?" and then, after a few times through the CD, "Oh, I get it; that's so true..." I rarely listen to country, but absolutely love this album. So, at the risk of being a "pop country" enthusiast, I would say that this music transcends all genres; that is, I can't imagine ANYONE not enjoying this album.

Allison Moorer is Shelby Lynne's younger sister. If you were a fan of early Emmylou Harris (think 70's), then you will love Allison Moorer. This is country music. Country music that is pure. Music that makes your toe tap. Moorer's voice matches the fiddle and the steel like a well fitting glove. The production is first rate with every lick a compliment to Allison's vocals. Every song is a winner and Moorer wrote or co-wrote them all. Sometimes a CD, no matter the genre just works. The Hardest Part is one of those. This is a delight.

This is a really great follow up to Allison Moorer's debut album ALABAMA SONG. THE HARDEST PART, her sophomore CD, was released two years after her debut in September 2000. It builds on the sound presented on her first, and the songs are nothing short of great. My favorite track, though not her own, is her emotional reading of the Rolling Stones' "Bring Me All Your Lovin". She makes this song into her own. "No Next Time" is another favorite, the lyrics are excellent, a great breakup song. The title track is a nice midtempo country number. "Send Down An Angel" is very sad but touching at the same time. Other highlights include "It's Time That I Tried", "Day You Said Goodbye", "Is It Worth It" and "Feeling That Feeling Again". Overall, to me this is her best album. You can't go wrong with any of them but this is an artistic acheivement, and one of her best albums yet.