Fireflies

It's easy to understand why Faith Hill took her time before releasing her new record, Fireflies. After all, how do you follow the successes of Breathe, her crossover mega-hit from 2001, and Cry, which won a best female vocal Grammy in 2003? Apparently, Hill's answer is to be patient and understated. Two years in the making, Fireflies tones down Hill's trademark bombast, relying instead on laid-back grooves, subdued vocals (comparatively speaking) and state-of-the-art Nashville songwriting. This album continues the singer's extraordinary career. With each of her five albums multi-platinum and with nine country #1's to her credit, multiple Grammy winner Hill is one of the biggest stars in music today. Leadoff single Mississippi Girl – a countrified Jenny From the Block – sets the tone for Hill’s sixth album and signals a return to her country roots. 14-tracks showcase the work of no less than 24 songwriters, including fellow country artists John Rich and the Warren Brothers as well as Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter Lori McKenna. Hill's husband Tim McGraw guests on Like We Never Loved Before.

Sunshine and Summertime is a nice opening track with it’s breezy feel and descriptive lyrics. Faith’s voice is sounding strong and clear and this song gets the album off to a good start. Mississippi Girl is most definitely autobiographical. Although a pretty familiar concept of just being your average Jane even though your one of the most famous people around, Hill does it with charm and grace. Dearly Beloved is definitely country complete with fiddles (think a Cajun vibe) and a more old-fashioned story line. It’s a humorous little ditty about a couple forced to marry due to a night of “sex and alcohol”. Stealing Kisses is a very well done ballad about love and the lack of it in the relationship. Fireflies is another lovely ballad filled with the whimsy and innocence of a little girl. I Want You definitely has some of the most unique vocals of Faith Hill’s career with her getting almost ethereal on the chorus. You Stay With Me is another example of the love songs Faith Hill does well and this one is more like There You’ll Be or Breathe. It has a great hook, generic but easily related to lyrics and nicely arranged music. Wish For You is better though with its lullaby qualities and gentle sound.

Faith Hill has come a long way since her days of chasing fireflies down in Mississippi. Grabbing a piece of everyone’s heart in 1994 with her debut album and having success after success thereafter, Hill has been one of the leading ladies on the country scene. The singer doesn't disappoint on her sixth album, wringing out every strand of emotion in her songs. On Fireflies, she pumps up the country signifiers, with arrangements ornamented by pedal steel, fiddle, and mandolin. There are many engaging moments thanks to expressive singing and great songwriting. This record is also Hill's most eclectic to date. And if you’ve liked her other albums then you’re going to like this one.