Shania Twain-"Up!" Review

"Come On Over" proved that Shania's domination of country-pop would not let up, as no less than twelve singles were released from the album. Five years later, its follow-up, simply titled "Up!, follows the approach used on "Come On Over": super-sized country-fied pop that is versatile, never being pigeon-holed into any particular style (as supported by the fact that "Up!" is available is three different mixes, all to prove how versatile each of its 19 songs is). But, when compared to her previous albums, Shania has outdone herself in the greatest possibly way.

One thing that makes all of her albums such masterpieces is the fact that virtually none of the songs about Shania Twain, the person. She has never faced a situation like "Waiter! Bring Me Water!", and it's safe to say she wasn't pregnant at fifteen as told in "I Ain't Going Down", but that's what has made her such a superstar. Anything that can't be related to the listener is discarded, so not-present are more introspective songs that occupy most of a singer's repertoire. This principle is what she lives by, and it works wonders for "Up!" as well. In fact, 2002 needs albums like this: ones that don't wallow in desperation or pretention, but instead have plenty to offer to any audience possible. And that sums up the content of this album: universal anthems for lovers, the brokenhearted, songs to get you through the day (especially the album's best track "C'est La Vie"), and then the much needed jabs at the obsessions of pop society (very notable is "Ka-Ching", a refreshing reality-check for our materialistic ways). All of the messages here are straightforward, and then Mutt Lange blows them up, shapes them, and finishes them off with epic choruses and multi-purpose hooks. Spread over nineteen indelible tracks, this is gargantuan pop that creates one hell of a journey. Captivating in every way, "Up!" is sure to continue Shania's monster-sized appeal, even if it might take a few tries to love this album as a whole. The flow is never jilted, so it's easy to move from one song to the next and not keep track of all the hooks. But, once you find your away around the land, every song comes together in a perfect and incredibly fulfilling package. From start to finish, "Up!" is intensely relatable, and contains a high quality that's more present than any other album of 2002, and could possibly be the most sensational album of this decade.

Recommended Tracks in Bold:

1. Up!              2. I’m gonna getcha good!      3. She’s not just a pretty face

4. Juanita         5. Forever and For Always  6. Ain’t no particular way

7. It only hurts when I’m breathing                  8. Nah!

9. (Wanna get to know you) that good!         10. C’est la vie

11. I’m jealous           12. Ka-Ching!          13. Thank You Baby!

14. Waiter! Bring Me Water!                        15. What a way to wanna be!

16. I ain’t goin down  17. I’m not in the mood (to say no!)

18. In my car (I’ll be the driver)                     19. When You Kiss Me