Personnel: Joe Breen (vocals); Shane McFee (guitar); Guy Allison (keyboards); Sharon Celani, John McFee (background vocals).
Much like her step-sister Roseanne Cash's 2006 album, BLACK CADILLAC, STRONGER finds Carlene Carter coping with the deaths of her mother, June Carter, and her step-father, Johnny Cash, as well as with her own troubled life. Early in her country-rock career, Carter was known as something of a hellion, with the unfortunate effect that, for some time, her personal problems overshadowed her musical career. But, as the explicit album title suggests and the powerful, clear-eyed lyrics make plain, Carter has stared down her demons. Working for the first time with her younger brother, John Carter Cash, whose co-writing, production, and instrumental work is crucial to the album, Carter has shaped her most consistent, self-assured set of songs. Particular highlights include the defiant "The Bitter End" and the equally emotionally naked "Break My Little Heart In Two."
Professional Reviews
Dirty Linen (p.75) - "The sounds run from the old-school, backwoods, uplifting harmony of the gospel-tinged 'To Change Your Heart' to the hard-charging rocker, 'I'm So Cool'....The album is triumphant, uplifting, and yes, strong."
Q (Magazine) (p.130) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[She] addresses her grief with clear, mature eyes and uplifting resolve on 'It Takes One To Know Me' and the standout title track. Most heartening."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.113) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "All 12 songs are originals: 10 new, two old. 'I'm So Cool,' from 1980, is tough-cookie powerpop..."
Harp (magazine) (p.108) - "[F]ull of lightning fluid guitar runs, hooky turns, soaring choruses and Carter's own edgy growl..."
