Breakdown: Limited Edition [Enhanced] [Extra tracks]

Amazon.com
"There's a place that we must go: into the soul, into the heart, into the dark" sings Melissa Etheridge in "Into the Dark"; it might serve as the refrain for the entire album, her first since 1995's Your Little Secret. In Breakdown, the singer-songwriter returns to the studio recharged and with a newfound confessional maturity that is at once vulnerable and searingly direct. Despite her phenomenal successes, Etheridge confronts the insecurities of obsessive desire ("Angels Would Fall," with its intricate overlay of religious imagery, touches a new level compared to the savage rawness of her classic "Like the Way I Do"), a bitter breakup ("Stronger than Me"), and an adolescent's confused sexual identity ("Mama I'm Strange"). This journey into the heart of darkness comprises not only sharp-edged self-reflection but also the painful vision of "Scarecrow," a drum & bass-anchored lament for gay murder victim Matthew Shepard. There's a therapeutic sense of catharsis throughout that makes the serenity of "My Lover" and "Sleep" seem like a hard-earned conclusion. With her vocals steely, acid-washed, and forthright as ever, Etheridge and coproducer/lead guitarist John Shanks concoct a rich and tightly webbed acoustic-and-amplified soundscape. Several of the songs have a sameness of tone, but Etheridge's passion never sounds fake, whether in the guitar-charged chorus of the title track or "Enough of Me"'s gently rising chords. And in its total effect, Etheridge's Breakdown sounds a lot more like a breakthrough to still a higher level. This limited-edition version of the album includes three tracks not found on the standard-issue version of Breakdown. --Tom May

Product Description
Strictly Limited to 20, 000 Copies this Digipak Format features Three Tracks and Enhanced Tracks featuring Exclusive Behind the Scenes Footage, Web Site Link, Photo's, Lyrics and a Screen Saver.

Breakdown: Limited Edition,Melissa Etheridge,Polygram Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Blues-Rock,Heartland Rock,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Breakdown: Limited Edition [Enhanced] [Extra tracks]

Average customer rating:

So you're having a breakdown...
Great, underappreciated album
Self-discovery, recovery, and tribute
Sadly Underappreciated
Go, buy!!!

Breakdown: Limited Edition
Melissa Etheridge
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Never Enough
Your Little Secret
Skin
Yes I Am
Brave and Crazy

ASIN: B00000K5A5
Release Date: 1999-10-05

Tracks:

Breakdown
Angels Would Fall
Stronger Than Me
Into The Dark
Enough Of Me
Truth Of The Heart
Mama I'm Strange
Scarecrow
How Would I Know
My Lover
Sleep
Touch And Go
Cherry Avenue
Beloved

Amazon.com

"There's a place that we must go: into the soul, into the heart, into the dark" sings Melissa Etheridge in "Into the Dark"; it might serve as the refrain for the entire album, her first since 1995's Your Little Secret. In Breakdown, the singer-songwriter returns to the studio recharged and with a newfound confessional maturity that is at once vulnerable and searingly direct. Despite her phenomenal successes, Etheridge confronts the insecurities of obsessive desire ("Angels Would Fall," with its intricate overlay of religious imagery, touches a new level compared to the savage rawness of her classic "Like the Way I Do"), a bitter breakup ("Stronger than Me"), and an adolescent's confused sexual identity ("Mama I'm Strange"). This journey into the heart of darkness comprises not only sharp-edged self-reflection but also the painful vision of "Scarecrow," a drum & bass-anchored lament for gay murder victim Matthew Shepard. There's a therapeutic sense of catharsis throughout that makes the serenity of "My Lover" and "Sleep" seem like a hard-earned conclusion. With her vocals steely, acid-washed, and forthright as ever, Etheridge and coproducer/lead guitarist John Shanks concoct a rich and tightly webbed acoustic-and-amplified soundscape. Several of the songs have a sameness of tone, but Etheridge's passion never sounds fake, whether in the guitar-charged chorus of the title track or "Enough of Me"'s gently rising chords. And in its total effect, Etheridge's Breakdown sounds a lot more like a breakthrough to still a higher level. This limited-edition version of the album includes three tracks not found on the standard-issue version of Breakdown. --Tom May

Album Details

Strictly Limited to 20, 000 Copies this Digipak Format features Three Tracks and Enhanced Tracks featuring Exclusive Behind the Scenes Footage, Web Site Link, Photo's, Lyrics and a Screen Saver.

Customer Reviews:

So you're having a breakdown..........2004-07-25

It's hard to choose a favorite Melissa Etheridge album. She writes her own music, and tends to wear her heart on her sleeve. She invites you into her world, and captivates you with her voice and her magic. This would be pretty close to my favorite album by her. It's just so raw and unapologetic. It's like she's just putting it out there and saying "Here are my feelings, how you choose to respond is up to you". The album is deeply personal and rooted in emotions. The title track just grabs you with its honesty. "Angels Would Fall" is the album's first single, and it's a great song. The quieter moments on the cd are what grab me more, like the moving ballad "How Would I Know", or "My Lover" and "Sleep". "Enough Of Me" is a no holds barred song that is just moving with it's passion. Other highlights include "Mama I'm Strange", "Scarecrow" and "Stronger Than Me". This is the version to get as it includes some great b-sides, including "Touch and Go", "Beloved" and the uptempo "Cherry Avenue" (another favorite). Great album!

Great, underappreciated album.......2003-10-04

I don't know why so many people want to skip right over this album. It's excellent - her best since "Yes I Am". It returns a bit to her raw rockin' emotionality best found in her first album. Sadly, this album chronicles the "Breakdown" of her relationship with Julie Cypher - which gives you a good idea of the pain very evident in parts of this album. Although Melissa can do ballads, and sometimes do them very well, she's at her strongest when she's pounding out her feelings in good old fashioned rock. There's lots of that here. Get the album - it's well worth it - and better than the later release "Skin".

Self-discovery, recovery, and tribute.......2002-10-26

This is a softer CD than some of Melissa Etheridge's previous ones. Themes are about self discovery and love and relationships. The music is excellent, and I love all the songs on this CD.

"Scarecrow" is a tribute to Mathew Shepherd(the young man who was brutally murdered because he was gay), and brings tears to my eyes. There is such pain and love expressed in this song....it's so sad and beautiful.

Sadly Underappreciated.......2002-08-14

Melissa Etheridge's 1999 album BREAKDOWN, her first since 1995's YOUR LITTLE SECRET, barely garnered any attention, which is a shame. She turns in a commanding performance on this truly introspective and deep album. If you were lucky you got the limited edition album, which came in a digipak cd case with new artwork and three extra songs along with the other eleven from the original. Lyrically this is one of her strongest efforts, lots of introspective lyrics which just make sense and aren't complicated to understand. She pays homage to the young man who was killed in a violent act of rage on the chilling "Scarecrow", one of the album's highlights. The album had two singles, the upbeat "Angels Would Fall", and the affirming "Enough of Me". Songs like "My Lover" and "Sleep" are very acoustic, and beautiful in their instumentation and lyrics. "How Would I Know" takes a look at a failing relationship, whereas "Stronger Than Me" admits self defeat. One of the catchiest songs on here is "Mama I'm Strange", definately check that one out. The extra tracks include "Touch and Go", a very acoustic like track, "Cherry Avenue", which is quite catchy and would fit well on the normal album, and the inspiring "Beloved". Overall don't leave BREAKDOWN behind, give it a listen!

Go, buy!!!.......2002-04-14

Why soooo overlooked? Was it the lack of supersonic electric guitars & bombastic chorusses of the Yes I Am & Your Little Secret albums? So what? This album actually makes those albums lack in places. More 'real' & emotive, Melissa indulges in a great deal of self-analysis than before in a more traditionally folk-rock style that her initial albums conveyed. The title track KILLS me. So angst-ridden it's unreal. The guitar, Melissa's ohh's build up into a powerful crescendo as a partner needs her by her side. The single Angels Would Fall is basically an rip-off of Joan Osbourne's One Of Us, but a charming song nonetheless about Missy admiring a partner's charming ways. Truth of The Heart is another heartfelt rock-ballad, & the song My Lover is a true gem. Guitar, Melissa & a pulsating drum beat where Missy admires her Lover & the feelings she evokes in her.
One of the most poignant songs on the album is a tender ballad called Scarecrow which recalls the horrendous homophobic murder of Matthew Shephard. The title alone of Breakdown suggests this is not a typical Melissa album. Much of the material appears to be autobiographical & suggests initial frays in her relationship with Julie Cypher. Ain't That Enough is perhaps the most revealing where Melissa appears to be 'breaking down', unable to cope with her partner's needs ('And I gave you my need & my seed....now, ain't that enough?'). Allusion to Melissa's joint pregnancy with her partner?? One suspects so. Okay, so it didn't go uber-platinum, but that doesn't mean Melissa has lost her touch; in fact some might say, she found it on this album. Best enjoyed by the fire with a good glass of red-wine. Indulge. A smouldering work by one of my all-time fave musicians.

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