Artist: Bonnie Raitt Album: Nine Lives

Year: 1986
Duration: 0:0-1

A critical review of Bonnie Raitt's Nine Lives Album

Bonnie Raitt is a renowned American blues singer, songwriter, and slide guitarist. Over the years, she has released multiple albums, including her Grammy Award-winning effort, Nick of Time. One of her other notable albums is Nine Lives, released in 2016, which explores the blues, rock, and soul. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at the album, discussing its genre, best songs, innovation, and the overall impression we got from it.

Nine Lives brings us an incredible sound with every track. It opens with the upbeat Need You Tonight, reminding us of Bonnie's classic rock roots. The song is filled with amusing guitar melodies and a catchy chorus that will leave you humming. Bonnie's distinctive blues sound comes to the forefront of the track Unintended Consequence of Love. It's a slow ballad that showcases the profoundness of Bonnie's voice.

One of the album's highlights is the title track Gypsy in Me. It features a fusion of blues, country, and rock, with a roll-and-swagger rhythm that hooks the listener from the very start. The song's chorus is incredibly catchy, and Bonnie's slide guitar gives the song an unforgettable presence. Shakin' Shakin' Shakes carries a Latin-infused melody combined with horns, creating a funky and danceable sound.

The album also features some of Bonnie's collaborations with contemporary artists, one of which is The Comin' Round is Going Through, in collaboration with Joe Henry. The track is a social commentary on the state of the world and America's politics, and Bonnie's vocals add a sense of agitation and urgency.

The album's most innovative moment is with The Ones We Could Have Been, a more laid-back song that features a dreamy synthesizer and a slow bass line. It's a beautiful song but feels a bit out of place on the album. The album's message lacks focus, which creates contradictions between the tracks and the album as a whole.

Bonnie Raitt's Nine Lives album is an excellent effort from the blues artist. Its ability to blend and explore different musical styles is commendable. The album shows us new sides of Bonnie Raitt while still maintaining the signature blues sound that has made her famous over the years. However, some of the tracks seem out of place, and the album lacks a cohesive theme. Overall, Nine Lives is an album worth listening to for any blues, rock, or soul fan.