The styles of music presented on here are all the different types Reba did on her career journey of 25 years on previous albums except they are all on one album this time! from traditional country to contemporary country and back again to traditional in full circle.

Reba chooses songs take you on an emotional journey from sad, to happy, to feel good and toe-tappin'.

1. "Secret"- Classic Reba story social issue song talking about a middle age woman who regrets the "secret" she lives with daily giving up her son for adoption years before giving in to social pressures of the past for un-wed mothers. Vocally Reba tears into the song and makes you feel the tear hit the page

2. "If I Had Any Sense Left At All"- Classic neotraditional style Reba from her 1984-1987 years; a powerful ballad of love gone wrong due to pride again pouring her heart and soul in to every line

4. "Once You've Learned To Be Lonely"- An outstanding song vocally and the message it sends. The vocals Reba pours out her heart and digs deep into the subject of how important it is not to accept to be lonely and sends out the message to become stronger a classic Reba theme

5. "Moving Oleta"- The BEST song on the CD! The topic is excellent focusing on the social issue of Alzheimer's and how the devotion, love, frustration and anger of a spouse is during such an ordeal watching their loved one fade away which needs to be addressed in today's media! along with a great topic and message Reba delivers an impeccable vocal delivery which her emotional phrasing married with the deep subject brings you to tears! The emotion she puts in the delivery reminds you of 1984's "Somebody Should Leave" and 1991's "For My Broken Heart" THIS SONG DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A SINGLE!

6. "Love Revival"- This is a very upbeat woman throw in the man's face song where I'm not taking anymore give me what I want reuniting lovers song delivered in a gospel jitterbug fashion with Reba delivering just enough emotion to get her point accross!

7. "He Gets That From Me"- an excellent selection given the times of our country. This song will definitely be relatable to all the men and women who lost spouses in 9/11 and who continue to lose in the current war. This song talks about how a child reminds his mother of her dead husband as each day passes. This song is definitely a winner which will touch many hearts and families.

8. "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain"- The first single off the album which Reba returns to country airwaves with the type of Reba music we all fell in love with years ago-a song of inspiration and empowerment in fiddle-and-dobro propelled country. And she takes no prisoners in doing either one; proving she is not going away without a fight!

9. "Room To Breathe"- An excellent relationship theme song of taking a step back and reviewing one's feelings before taking the next step in the relationship with Reba's timeless vocals darting up and down as a bird in flight

10. "Sky Full Of Angels"- Classic uplifting inspirational Reba song with a gospel twist. Very refreshing sound!

11. "Somebody"- A radio hit just from the beat very easy to learn and is the type of song where the beat and melody floats in your head long after it is turned off the subject matter is how looking for love may be easier than it seems and may be staring you in the face!

12. "It Just Has To Be This Way" (duet with Vince Gill)- The two singers in their third collaboration 1989-"Oklahoma Swing" 1992-"The Heart Won't Lie" and now this one continue to prove that they make beautiful music together and this song is definitely a chart topper! Reba & Vince duet= ENOUGH SAID

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Kathryn's Room To Breathe Review  Oct 06, 2004 By Kathryn V. Walker
Reba has definitely out done herself this time. Room to Breathe is the best album in my collection of Reba albums. With slow sad songs that make you think like Secret and He Gets That From Me to the fast up beat songs like Love Revival

and Sister. She really gets into the mood of the song with her voice and takes the listener to a whole new level of feelings.

If I had to rate this album I would rate it 6 out of 5 stars. This album has meant so much to me, being a single mother going to school, that I can always count on Reba to make me feel good when I am down. It is wonderful to know that Reba's music will forever be around.

~Kathryn Walker

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


Solid Effort By McEntire  Aug 07, 2004 By J. Haynie
For the last few years McEntire has taken back seat to the new Diva Craze hitting country music. With her last 4 singles hitting the top 3 on the Billboard charts, she decided to take an old familar road, and it works.

Going back to the basics, Room To Breathe feels brings back to life classic Reba.

From the loss of a loved one "He Gets That From Me" a song about a mother looking at her son, and seeing a little piece of the man she lost in him, to the fiesty "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" she grabs the listen by the ears and says check me out.

Stand out tracks: Somebody #1 single, I'm Gonna Take That Mountain and It Just Has To Be This Way (duet with Vince Gill)

Highly recommened for people familar with Reba, for someone new, and not sure which album to buy, I suggest Greatest Hits Volume 2, which is filled with 10 of Reba's strongest hits.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Pure Country!  Sep 29, 2005 By curtism
Reba is amazing on this CD! She goes back to her roots of traditional country on "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" the first of 4 Top 10 singles off this SUPERB album! Also "Love Revival" & "If I Had Any Sense Left At All" are nothing but pure country! The CD is a GREAT mix with some contemporary country as well with "He Gets That From Me" and "Somebody" which was a #1 HIT on Billboard! And in traditional Reba fashion it's filled with some AMAZING emotional songs with "Moving Oleta" and "It Just Has To Be This Way" a new duet with Vince Gill which is nothing short of a masterpiece! I DEFINETLY reccomend this CD!

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


25 Years and still making great music!  Sep 27, 2005 By Austin Mandrake "Austin M"
WOW! I did not expect Reba McEntire to release such an amazing album this late in her career! It has everyone from traditional swing to heartwrenching ballads. I highly reccommend this as you won't be dissapointed with a single track! P.S. Reba has an AMAZING duet with Vince Gill that is sure to put a tear in your eye!

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