Maree McRae

"Urgency," this album's title track, was inspired by the chronic illness of Maree McRae's youngest son, so it makes sense that her performance is sincere and heartfelt. But her delivery of lines like "Baby, I'm just burstin' at the seams" doesn't match their content. Her relaxed, honeyed vocals are best...

By Michael Roberts

October 1, 2009

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"Urgency," this album's title track, was inspired by the chronic illness of Maree McRae's youngest son, so it makes sense that her performance is sincere and heartfelt. But her delivery of lines like "Baby, I'm just burstin' at the seams" doesn't match their content. Her relaxed, honeyed vocals are best suited to the lovely yet laconic "Move On" and "Breeze," which equates love with a leaf wafted by the wind, and if her occasional attempts to rock a little, as on "It's a Shame," can be modestly effective, they'll never serve as the soundtrack for a bar-room brawl. Wyatt Easterling's production is warm and professional, as is the accompaniment offered by a slew of Nashville session types — but the results seldom transcend the merely pleasant. Urgent, they're not.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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