Babs first studio album since 2005's "Guilty Pleasures"

Streisand releases “Love Is The Answer”

I have been a huge Barbra Streisand fan, seen her in concert and collected every recording that she has done. I have to say that this new CD while still vocally grand. Something is missing…

The set starts off with the slow “Here’s To Life”. I’m sad to say that there is nothing new to report with this lead off track. “In The Wee Small Hours Of Morning.” is a nice jazz infused with Streisand’s perfect pitch as she gets more intimate with us the listener. The third track from the CD is “Gentle Rain” this has a little more melody and a very lush orchestral feel. The tinkling of the piano is a very nice touch and adds to the flavor of the song. “If You Go Away” the next track has Barbra singing in French and If you ask me this is one of the most experimental track on the CD and it DOESN’T Work!

I had to skip a few songs till I got to the sultry “Love Dance” because at this point the whole album so far had put me to sleep. “Smoke Get’s InYour Eyes” is perhaps the best track on this whole CD.

It’s a shame really I’m sure that fans will like this CD, but for me “Love Is The Answer” is nothing more then a backdrop to eat dinner too. It’s nothing you’ll want to listen to while you commute in your car, because the energy is so slow. Not to mention that I got the Deluxe version which is nothing more then orchestral versions next to stripped down versions. My money is on the stripped down quartet versions.

Can we even begin to compare this to 2005’s “Guilty Pleasure’s”? Nope, the songs there were moving and different. This CD takes no risks, goes in no new direction and does absolutely nothing for me.

So let’s review this in a nutshell…Barbra sings new songs (Check) Is her voice in form (Check) Is this something you’ll get excited about… I doubt it… Be the judge for yourself!

BUY THE CD FROM AMAZON

Overall Grade C+

Nitro