Martina McBride has done it again! Her style and impressive vocal talent shines through on this CD. This album contains a strong collection of songs that will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel good all at the same time! The opening song "So Magical" is an upbeat, fun song that reminds us how to find the beauty and magic in daily life. Other upbeat "fun" songs are "This One's for the Girls" and "Wearin' White" - a true fun, country song that will make you smile (with Vince Gill's background harmonies making it all the better)! Martina's vocals soar on the powerful ballad "How Far", "City of Love" and the incredible live version of "Over the Rainbow" that will give you chills. The incredibly touching "In My Daughter's Eyes" (to be the second single) will bring tears to your eyes. "God's Will" is about a crippled boy who teaches us the meaning of selflessness, love and hope (it's a little long - at almost 6 minutes with a long instrumental ending) but the lyrics will absolutely touch your heart. Martina even mixes it up a bit by including the bluegrass/gospel-ish tune "Reluctant Daughter". I could go on about how each and every song will touch a certain emotion. It's just an incredibly well done and uplifting album - and Martina's vocal talent is unparalleled!! The version with the bonus track "Show Me" is only available at WalMart but it's a fantastic song and well worth a trip to WalMart to get that version. Enjoy "Martina" - it is a must have!!

I have been listening to a wide mix of music lately, from Nickelback to Outkast, from Clay Aiken to Evanescence, from Matchbox Twenty to Thalia, Beyonce, Train, No Doubt and Westlife.

These are all excellent performers, but the "feel-good" girl among the current "IT" entertainers is unquestionably Martina Mcbride. The album contains a collection of cotton candy sweet, touching and moving material, which can chase the darkest gloom from a cloudy day.

She may be guilty on a few songs of putting in so much effort that she almost screams (reminiscent of Heart songs like "Alone"), but the majority showcase her smooth creamy delivery to the max.

A refreshing break from the frenetic and dark side of music.

Being a fan of Martina, I had to buy this cd. As with every cd I buy, I never assume that it will be great, much less good. But much to my chagrin, the self titled MARTINA is great.

Her vocal work is great as always and the selection of songs was good.

The song SO MAGICAL is typical Martina: bouncy, fun, very country and lovable. SHE'S A BUTTERFLY is a beautiful ballad that reminds me of one of my favorite Martina songs (Broken Wing). CITY OF LOVE (the stand out song) is another one of those typical Martina songs: so country. THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS is a joyous proclamation of women and thier gifts, trials, failures and successes. WEARING WHITE is another hill billy country song for Martina. She does wrangle in two pop-esque type country songs. WHEN YOU LOVE ME & LEARNING TO FALL could very well be heard on the pop stations. But thanks to her vocal range and the instruments used; it stays country. To close out the cd she includes a live version of OVER THE RAINBOW. She raises this song to a level that no one can surpass. Her voice is just grand. God gave her a wonderful gift and I am glad she shares it with all of us.

I have never had a disappointing cd from Martina and she comes through again with her self titled one.

For anyone who loves country music, this is a must have. For anyone who loves female country stars, this is a must have. And if you are a Martina McBride fan...I don't think I need to say it. ENJOY!

If you don't know who Martina McBride is, don't worry because it's never to late to find out! Two years after releasing a greatest hits collection, Martina has come back with "Martina", an album filled with 12 songs that make up one of the best, (if not best) albums of her 10+ year career. This collection of new music includes songs for all types of people to enjoy from young boys and girls to parents and grandparents. Songs like "She's A Butterfly", "In My Daughter's Eyes" and "God's Will" sound as if they were written by Ms. McBride because of her magnificent delivery when singing them. She has always been one of the best vocalist in all of music but the best just got better on songs like "Reluctant Daughter" and "Wearing White", which should please those on the more traditional side of country music. Martina's powerful pipes can be heard in top form on the contemporary country leaning songs "Learning To Fall", "City Of Love", "How Far" and "When You Love Me". Her loyal fan base including myself enjoy seeing Ms. M in concert year after year and by including a "live" version of "Over The Rainbow" on this great album, she will without a doubt make some new fans. Martina McBride is blessed and you will be to, if you choose to purchase this album and the limited edition DVD by the same title!

After a hiatus, I recently started listening to country music again, and Martina McBride has become one of my favorite female vocalists, along with Shania Twain and Faith Hill, who accompanies her on one of this CD's cuts. The album's instrumentation, which includes more than a sprinkle of pedal steel, mandolin and fiddle, underscores its country sound with a capital "C." Ms. McBride has a huge voice, especially for such a petite person - and she sure knows how to pick some fine songs. She artfully uses her voice to convey a woman's experience and her interpretation of songs written by others is powerful. Martina belts out contemporary country, along with some traditional songs and even some bluegrass on "Martina," released in 2003.

Throughout the last decade McBride has devoted much of her time to helping raise awareness of the plight of abused women and children. She has acted as national spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence and for Domestic Violence Intervention Services. Martina has become known for her supportive female oriented songs."This One's For the Girls," with its energizing message of sisterhood, self reliance and empowerment, is driven by the beat of some wicked drums and waves of rock guitar. She is backed here with vocals from her two daughters, Delaney and Emma, along with Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Faith Hill, songwriters Aimee Mayo and Hillary Lindsey. "Reluctant Daughter," written by Sally Barris and Jon Vezner has a definite grassy feel to it. Ricky Skaggs contributes to the blue grass sound with his background vocals. The beautiful and gentle ballad "When You Love Me" is one of my favorite cuts. "In my Daughter's Eyes," another kind of love song, is a touching musical message from a mother to the daughter who gives her a reason to believe. She also does a wonderful rendition of what she calls "her favorite song ever," "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."

Overall, this classy album is geared more towards women listeners, although I don't know a reason why men would not enjoy it also. It's sure a hit around my house. Highly recommended!

JANA