Pulling out all the emotional stops . . .
It's hard to characterize this CD because it touches so many different bases and extremes of emotions. After the stereotype-breaking lyrics of social consciousness in "Somebody's Dream," there's the poignant anthem of the aching heart, "Just Let Me Be In Love," followed by the rollicking "Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo." The unexpected cover of the old pop hit "Wildfire" just about makes sense in this company as it embraces both folk-myth and magical realism.And the CD just goes on like that, like a symphony orchestra hitting one big emotional chord after another until after a fed-up outlaw harange with Mark Chestnutt ("A Good Way to Get On My Bad Side"), we end on a note that mixes true love and a nod to the Higher Power ("Keeper of the Stars"). This is pull-out-all-the-stops sentiment, not for the faint-hearted, and Bryd sings it for all it's worth.