This album is a huge relief. After her last record 'Love, Shelby'(following on the heels of her Grammy-winning 'I Am Shelby Lynne'), we thought we had lost her. She certainly had lost us. Everything about that cd was wrong, from her sex-kitten poses on the covers (well, maybe not that wrong), to the mediocre material, to the strident and overbearing production by 'hit-maker' Glen Ballard, who mistook Shelby for Alanis. Now with a new record company (which, along with the insinuating title of the current cd, leads us to believe that her last effort was not all her doing) and with herself at the creative controls, Lynne has made a very successful return to form. The songs, all written by Lynne, are tuneful and personal. Her honey and grits vocals are mixed up-front, so she feels like she's in the room. Her versatility is demonstrated with bits of rock, country, blues, gospel and, of course, those heart-tugging ballads. Confoundingly, with her 'Identity Crisis', Shelby Lynne seems to have hit her stride. If so, her future bodes even better.

Wow, what a nice surprise. It's the Shelby Lynne album I been waiting for. This album rocks, swoons, gets down like your'e in church, and then some....

Shelby does what she pleases n this album, and it shows. She sounds comfortable with each song, and sounds like she's having fun singing them. A nice stripped down acoustic approach suits these songs perfectly. I fell in love with the coo of her voice a long time ago, and it's all over this album. She hasn't sounded bettter, vocally as she does here. "One with the Sun" has to be the most beautiful track on here. And "Gotta get better" rocks like nothing else I've heard her do. The churning strumming takes you in right away and really rocks. Amazingly there is little percussion on this album and it seems to work just fine. The introspection of "If I were smart" here she examines a situation of the heart, shows a she can still turn a phrase to get her point across.

Now I'm sorry but I don't understand the review calling "10 Rocks" hokey. It's a great song. Why can't Shelby Lynne do a gospel shuffle? Lyle Lovett can and no one says anything. In any event she shows that she has the ability to pull it off.

This album shows the many facets of an amazing artist. An eclectic collection of songs make up a strong, cohesive work. Her talents shine here. The best part is that she produced and played the guitar parts herself. It was as if, to make a really good Shelby Lynne record, she had to do it herself. Good for her! It worked!

(Personally I'd like to hear her re-do "Love Shelby" to sound as pure as this record does. There were some really great songs on that album that could use a personal touch.)

Shelby has returned with THE perfect album to demonstrate her range and versatility as an artist! From the first listen, songs such as '10 Rocks', 'Gonna Be Better', 'Lonesome', and 'Baby', just reach out and grab the listener! The way she blends influences as diverse as gospel, country, rock, folk, and even Sinatra ('I Will Stay' is right out of his early Capitol years), is astonishing and seemingly effortless in her hands.

She has basically no peers for what she does - and when she's ON she's ON - and this album may be her best to date. If you liked the diversity of 'This is Shelby', you'll love this CD!!

When I decided to rate Shelby's new album, I must admit that I was afraid that I could not be totally objective, or at least as objective as I would like to be.

Some of Shelby's older songs like "Dreamsomme","Wall In Your Heart" & "Killin' Kind" have accompanied me in a very difficult period of my life. I feel Shelby like a friend, and you can't be objective when criticising a friend, now can you??

You see, Shelby, with her awsome voice, and songs, has held my hand through times that I couldn't have easily passed without her.She has been my friend, whatever that means to you...

But, thank God, I didn't have to be good with her, just because of her past hits. Her new album is amazing, and it takes you on a magical journey that starts with the first song, and ends with the last line of the very last song.

I don't wanna just take each song and rate it individually, because I believe that each of these songs have a soul of its own,and it would be a mistake to seperate them in such a way.However, what I have to say is that Shelby's style has gone through some changes, and in some parts her songs are not typical "Shelby" , and that's good for two reasons.Firstly, for those of you who didn't like her older songs, this is a chance to give Shelby a second chance to amaze you (and she WILL do it!), and feel her music.Secondly for those who don't know Shelby and for those who know and love her, it's a time to re-meet and enjoy her beautiful voice, in something a little bit different than her previous songs.

"Identity Crisis" is an album that's surely,also,gonna be loved by all country fans, as Shelby's voice has the blueness that's needed from an artist to be able to perform country songs. Also, there is a cover of an old favorite country song in th album!.

I, unfortunately, don't live in America, so I don't have the chance to see Shelby, but for those lucky ones that live there, it's a great idea to go to one of her appearences with your girlfriend/boyfriend.

Trust me,you are gonna love Shelby.I know I do...

Thanks for everything Shelby....

Thank you for the music.

This is my first exposure to Shelby Lynne and I'm just all gobsmacked and agog over it. So far this year this is the best, most complete album I've picked up. Am I gushing yet?

The songs on here are carefully produced, but with beautiful touches throughout. With a voice and lyrics that remind me of early Sara K and the ability to let fly and romp or go downbeat, this is a complete, mature, beautiful work. I was signing along with the volume turned up driving around with this disc in the car's player, without even knowing the words.

I bought this disc on a lark (thanks Amazon) with Jolie Holland's new one, and this album made me rethink my feelings about the other. Really this should be the new sleeper hit, with reviews on NPR and all the buzz the other album is getting. If Ms. Lynne is having an identity crisis I sure hope she doesn't get therapy!

If you could get just one female vocalist recording this year, in my opinion, you ought to get this one.