You'll find another way to begin, and you'll trust in someone...

Ok, first off, do NOT go by the horrible air-brushed-to-the-point-of-drag-queen-ishness cover. Beneath that lies one of the greatest female artists in country today, Wynonna Judd, with an album that was so unfairly overlooked in the male-dominated country atmosphere of 2003. With only Oprah to save sales of the record, anyone only listening to radio would miss the appearance of What The World Needs Now Is Love, with only one mid-hit single, the title song. But this album is one of the best, if not the best, country record of that year.

The first sign of that is that the title song, good as it is, even pales besides a boatload of songs that are mixed throughout the album. The song fits into Wynonna's all-inclusive spirituality based on love, not fear of god. That is followed by "Heaven Help Me", a classic ballad yearning for her love not to leave. "It All Comes Down To Love" fits the theme of the title song, with a Bonnie Raitt-like groove behind it. Mom Naomi joins in for one song, the nostalgic "Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" bringing at least a Judds reunion for a brief glimpse. The inspirational mood continues with the simple but powerful anthem of "I Will Be" which segues nicely to a version of Foreigner's "I Wanna Know What Love Is" that is not only superior for her delivery, but made he even more appreciate the original. "It's Only Love" is a pleasant enough number, and "Sometimes I Feel Like Elvis" is way better than the title would imply. The only misstep is ironically following that up with a remake of the King's "Burning Love" from the Disney product Lilo And Stitch that doesn't really add anything to the original. Wynonna rebounds thankfully with two perfect songs, the remarkably Babyface-like "Who Am I Supposed To Love" and the most moving song I've heard in years, "Your Day Will Come". Just gander at lyrics like these....

Pack up all your tears
Bury the past
Send them away
Don't let 'em hold you back
Love will find you again
You'll find another way to begin
And you'll trust in someone
Your day will come...

Trust me, I've been there. I think we all have been there at one point. This song has become my mantra. After that the end of the album is a little bit of a denouement, though still quality, with the rockin' "(No One's Gonna) Break Me Down", the by-the-numbers soundtrack filler "You Are", and the earthy closer "Rescue Me". There's not an unlistenable moment on the album ("Burning Love" is not unlistenable, only unnecessary). You can't go wrong with What The World Needs Now Is Love, either as a glimpse of Wynonna Judd or country music in itself. If only country radio would get a clue.

Grade: A-
Best Cuts: "What The Worlds Needs", "Heaven Help Me", "I Will Be", "I Want To Know What Love Is", "Sometimes I Feel Like Elvis", "Who Am I Supposed To Love", "Your Day Will Come"
Weakest Link: "Burning Love"

What The World Needs Now Is Love hit #1 country albums and #8 pop albums.
"What The World Needs Now" hit #14 country & #70 pop.
"Heaven Help Me" made #37 country.
"Flies On The Butter" made #33 country.
"I Want To Know What Love Is" hit #14 Adult Contemporary, and #12 dance radio.

To listen to the awesome track "Your Day Will Come" download by clicking here (rightclick to bring up another window).

and then once you do go buy the album. You can find it at sites like here and here.

And with no video, here's a bonus, the dance remix to "I Want To Know What Love Is" download by clicking here (rightclick to bring up another window).