Let me tell everyone out there, this is the best album I've ever listened to. I have always had a distant respect for Mary Chapin Carpenter but was not aware of much of her work. Because I recently used another Carpenter classic 'Grow Old with Me' as the first dance at my wedding, I decided to see her perform within weeks to learn more. What I found was an eye-opening experience. I recall after she played 'Stones in the Road' turning to my new bride and saying "that was a GREAT song". Later she told the story and played 'John Doe #24'. She had everyone captivated by this compassionate masterpiece which had people weeping and speechless. The following day I purchased my first 2 Carpenter albums - 'Come On, Come On' and 'Stones in the Road'. Her performance, and this album are, to borrow the commercial phrase, "priceless". The emotional roller-coaster ride that MCC puts you on will change you as long as you have the depth of character to allow it. If you are into soundbites, political correctness, and special-effect laden superficial movies you probably will not like this album. But for those of you who find the human spirit both joyous and disappointing, and are willing to peel back the layers of protective covering that we surround ourselves with, will not be without reward. 'Stones', 'John Doe 24', 'Where Time Stands Still', 'Jubilee', 'A Keeper for Every Flame'. All are tremendously written and the album is not without fun on 'Shut Up & Kiss Me'. This lady is something special. I beg everyone to get in touch with what it's all about, and this album will take you there ...

After riding high on the upbeat "Come On Come On" album, Mary Chapin followed that up with "Stones In The Road," a more mellowed out album. There are some upbeat tracks like the toe-tapping "Tender When I Want To Be" and the infectionous "Shut Up And Kiss Me," but this collection of songs contains slow to mid-tempo ballads. And they are the saddest songs I've ever heard. A story about a deaf and blind man who's identity and family were never known is in the song "John Doe No. 24" is a definite tear jerking. "Outside Looking In" is a sad look at harsh reality when dreams of love and marriage don't always come true. "Where Time Stood Still" is a song about reliving the past where happier events took place that seem long, lost, and forgotten. The title track, "Stones In The Road" take a close look at our society and how we take material things and status quo like an obsession. What makes these songs so sad is that they're true. This album gives a harsh look at reality and just goes to prove that she has good observation skills and all in all a great writer.

I have many excellent cds from all genres in my collection, but this is by far my favorite. Stones in the Road is a wonderful, thoughtful song reminding the listener that each action, each person makes a difference. Jubilee, Shut up and Kiss me and Pirate Days are fun songs I listen to and enjoy, while John Doe #24 is a heart wrenching song that startles me with it's beauty and heartbreak.

MCC has gone on to do at least 3 more cds since this was released (maybe more, I'm tired and not counting)and though they are all outstanding, this is my favorite. On Stones in the Road she mixes uptempo songs with slow, thought provoking and introspective ones, and she does it brilliantly.

Stones in the Road is by far my all-time favorite album of hers. To prove that I had to replace my first copy of her cd because I managed to scratch two of my favorite tracks on the cd "Outside Looking In" and "Jubilee". In comparison to her previous cds, Stones in the Road is a departure from the optimistic outlook she portrays. Mary took a drastic turn with Stones in the Road by turning it into a darker, bleaker album which I thought she succeeded in doing. "A Keeper for the Flame", "The Last Word", "House of Cards", "Jubilee", "Stones in the Road", and "Outside Looking In" are my very favorite tracks but all the songs on this cd is a winner with me. And as different as Stones in the Road is from her previous cds, this one is just as much of a classic as "State of the Heart".

This is what I call truthful and meaningful words and music, and the best thing is that there's no track to skip like many albums you hear, as if it was a best of collection. The title track "Stones in the road" and John Doe#24 can really give you a chilly shiver. The musical arrangement is great and you really feel the depth of the artist. If you're looking for clean words and original music, this album won't let you down.Thank you Mary Chapin Carpenter.