On my first review of this album, I gave it a 5 star performance while only listening to it a few times. I now realize, that I wrote it with very little understanding, and may not have given the album and it creators the proper credit. The album is a masterpiece in artistry! I consider every aspect of this album 5 star, and it gets better every time I listen to it. Hopefully this is a lesson well learned, for I now know, that many of the subtleties in an album are not exposed during the first few listenings. These artists (singers, musicians, producers, and mixers) put hundreds of hours into the creation of an album, and it is probably only fair that I should listen to an album many times prior to writing a review. Anyway, I have listened to "Evolution" many times since my first review, and I have much more respect and appreciation for the artists and the album. The album is vocally, lyrically, and musically beautiful. I guess it all starts with the song choice. The album has a nice variety of songs and each song brings about different emotional and physical responses from the listener. A slow tempo message song may be followed by an up tempo happy song, and then followed by a nice love song. I like the variety, and actually look forward to each change in song style. They chose songs with incredible lyrics, but at the same time allowed Martina to showcase every aspect of her tremendous singing ability. The songs reveal an emotional and heartfelt style of delivery (in Martina), that often, may have been overshadowed by her rich sounding voice. And even though her delivery is expressive and emotional, Martina's voice is clearly the "EVENT" of the album (she really lets it fly on this album). The musical interpretation on this album is 5 star, as well. As lyrically and vocally rich as the album was, the musicians (producer and staff) needed to be wise on the musical support. They were as masterful at their job, as Martina was at hers. The sounds from the instruments are beautiful and rich sounding, and are placed strategically, to bring out the best in the vocals and lyrics. They still created a sonically appealing modern country sound, while supporting the heart of the songs. As far as I'm concerned, this is Martina and her staff's best production, to date. I enjoy every track on this album, but my favorites would have to be, "Whatever You Say", "Wrong Again", and "Here In My Heart". This album will always be one of my favorites, and I like what it has done for me. It has made me a better listener, knowing that I still may be missing some of the intended beauty. I am highly recommending this album, but please beware of the albums ability to grow on you. It is really GOOD!

Martina's first three albums (Time has come, Way that I am, Wild angels), although all pop-country albums, retained a very strong country feel. With this album, Martina, her producer and musicians have injected a greater dose of pop into the mix. However, this is still a high quality album. You have to make up your own mind whether it is country or not.

The album yielded five major solo country hits (Happy girl, A broken wing, Wrong again, Whatever you say, Valentine) and also includes a wonderful duet with Clint Black (Still holding on) as well as some other outstanding tracks. Martina's strong, powerful voice may seem overwhelming to some people on the up-tempo tracks but I enjoy her music, whatever type of song and whether it is pop, country or somewhere in between.

I could have done without the recording of I'm little but I'm loud, made when Martina was just seven years old, but it only lasts a minute so it's soon done with. Much better is Happy girl, the first real track here, which has become one of Martina's signature songs. Be that way (about a woman in an uneasy relationship with a difficult man) is followed by A broken wing, which could be interpreted as being about the end of that same relationship. Wrong again (about a relationship that seemed ideal but didn't work) has more of a country feel to it. Keeping my distance is about a woman waiting for a man to finish with another woman, just waiting for her chance. I won't close my eyes is about a woman who is suspicious about her man but doesn't want to believe that he's doing her wrong.

There are so many great songs here. I've only mentioned some of them but, except for the brief opening track, they are all enjoyable, at least to my ears. This is a world removed from traditional country but in the field of contemporary country, Martina is as good as anybody. If you are new to Martina's music, you could begin with Greatest hits (which includes five of the tracks here) but this album is also a good one to start with.

This is a killer CD all the way around, but the most impressive work is "Whatever You Say", which features terrific guitars and violins to go with that fall-out-of-your chair voice! The duet with Clint Black is a nice touch, and the CD starts with a fun little ditty from Martina's childhood that will put a smile on your face. Enjoy!

Martina's fourth album, "Evolution" is one of her best to date. It is a collection of fourteen songs and features Martina's improvement vocally or her "vocal evolution." Here is how I rate each song on this album.

I'm Little But I'm Loud- Martina's performance at the age of 7. Don't be fooled! Martina has improved significantly ! (4 stars)

Happy Girl- great rhythm, uptempo and peppy. (5 stars)

Be That Way- I love this song... the energy, the lyrics and theme are perfectly conveyed. (5 stars)

A Broken Wing- A very potent song about emotional abuse, Martina's soprano is shown. (5 stars)

Wrong Again- A wonderful song... Nice background vocals and nice instrumentals. (5 stars)

Keeping My Distance- One of my personal favorites in this collection! Too bad it was never made a single. (5 stars)

Still Holding On w/ Clint Black- Martina proves she can be an awesome duet partner. (5 stars)

Whatever You Say- A powerhouse performance and the best overall song in Evolution. It even gets better when Martina sings it live! (5 stars)

I Won't Close My Eyes- a slow moving song, but soothing and a pleasure to listen to. (5 stars)

Some Say I'm Running- Another favorite song of mine, about reuniting with true love. (5 stars)

Here in My Heart- I love the background vocals of this song; they are pure ear candy and I love how Martina holds the note "heart" for eight seconds. (5 stars)

One Day You Will- I like this song, it's short and sentimental (5 stars)

Valentine- a beautiful love song! (5 stars)

OVERALL: A VERY WELL CRAFTED ALBUM IN EVERY WAY! ITS LYRICS, PRODUCTION, VOCALS, INSTRUMENTALS AND COLLABORATIONS RULE!

IT IS ONE OF THE BEST FEMALE COUNTRY ALBUMS EVER!!!

Martina McBride may have the best voice in country music. This album is truly awesome, and much better than her current album "Emotion." "Whatever You Say" is just a tremendous song and really showcases her voice. The song "Valentine" is a slow romantic song that is particularly good. In short, if you like country music, you must have this album. I also recommend her first two albums.