Search - Melissa Etheridge :: Breakdown

Elizabeth F. (celeria)
Reviewed on 8/7/2006...

Incredibly depressing album with some beautifully standout songs - "Angels Would Fall" was the first single, and Melissa Etheridge says in her autobiography that she considers "Sleep" one of the most perfect songs she's ever written.

Brilliant return!

Désirée Greverud | Stockholm, Sweden | 01/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My intial review (written after only 2 or 3 listens) is gone but now I've have several months to live with this disc and played it dozens of times as well as see her live for the 8th time. This CD has really grown on me. It is far more introspective than anything she has done before and closest musically to the underappreciated "Never Enough" album, but only in that it's more an "experimental" sound (like Never Enough was). The album starts strong with Breakdown, Angels Would Fall and Stronger Than Me, all three are fairly typical Melissa songs about the pain inherent in relationships- whatever kind they might be. Angels, the single, is actually the weakest of the 3. The first taste of something different is the brooding power ballad Into the Dark. Moody and atmospheric may best describe this descent into the soul. "Enough of Me" return to a more rock tone with lyrics that cut to the heart, perhaps her best ever. "Truth of the Heart" follows, an enjoyable song but not anything special. The dance rhythms last seen on Never Enough resurface on "Mama I'm Strange" a lament/declaration of alternate sexuality with a fun beat and happy feel. The emotional highpoint of the record is "Scarecrow" The imagery is disturbing and heartfelt. It took me 7 or 8 times through the album before I could listen to this track without crying. It's a tough song to follow which is why i think "How Would I know" is the weak link on the CD. It's only an OK Melissa song and it's placement on the disc guarentees it's unmemorableness. The final two songs (on the regular release)are ballads, both packed with typical Melissa emotions and by themselves are strong songs, but placed as they are, they end the album on a low note (although it's hard to see the song "Sleep" anywhere else but ending the disc)The 3 bonus songs are easily as good as anything on the album, although the first one, "Touch & Go" is the weakest, souunding like a leftover from earlier days. "Cherry Avenue" ressurects the dance beat and fun attitude of "...Strange" and makes getting enhanced disc worth it. Lyrically "Beloved" sounds like a rewrite of previous Melissa lyrics and being on the same disc as the similar "My Lover" makes it hard for this track to hold it's own, although taken by itself it is a wonderful peice of music.A final note: the "enhanced" packaging is shoddy, with liner notes & lyrics only available in the multimedia portion, which needs to be closed down to play the disc on your computer. Very poor design."

Honest and blunt as always

David Anderson | St. Cloud, MN | 07/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Melissa Etheridge had gone four long years without releasing an album. Being a long-time fan, I was waiting impatiently for "Breakdown". The day it came out, I drove twenty-five miles, the nearest music store from my town, to buy the CD. However, I only had one hour and a half to get back home to watch "That 70's Show". That day, I listened to it. I discovered that "Breakdown's" quality was worth the long adventure. She pours her heart and soul honestly and bluntly through every track she sings. "Angels Would Fall" stands out the entire CD. "Scarecrow" is a magnificent, heartfelt dedication to the late Matthew Shepard. "Breakdown", the track, expresses how "nuts" she goes sometimes, one of the more honest of the CD. "Breakdown's" raw emotions prove that one could debate if Etheridge is the next Janis Joplin. Any fan of either of the two brilliant artists will love this CD."