A big voice that's big on girl power JAMES REEDESSENTIAL "She's Turning 50 Today" Performed by anyone else, "Strange," the ready-and-raring first single from Reba McEntire's new and 31st album, would make you pity the protagonist whose man has just left her. But this is Reba McEntire, so instead of a hanky she's waving a victory flag. "Strange, I oughta be in bed with my head in the pillow cryin'/ Over us/ But I ain't/ Ain't love strange," she sings with serious attitude on the defiant chorus. The song, with the top of the country charts dead in its sights, is a snapshot of McEntire's mindset on "Keep on Loving You": No matter how bad it gets, her sass and her spirit keep her afloat. It's a sturdy and at times exuberant country album with big production and McEntire's even bigger voice leading the charge on low-key ballads ("I Keep on Lovin' You''), rocking kiss-offs ("Strange"), and her signature story songs about ordinary lives ("Maggie Creek Road"). Only a few of these songs ("But Why," "Over You") feel faceless, the kind of power ballads that could be hits for McEntire, or Martina McBride, or Faith Hill. Of course, this being a radio-friendly record, there's the requisite tip of the cowboy hat to spitfire women who buck the odds ("Pink Guitar") and rugged, downhome men ("I Want a Cowboy"). Tellingly, "She's Turning 50 Today," the sole song that really aims for the heart and the head, is the only one where McEntire gets a co-writing credit. It's classic Reba, from premise (a woman at the crossroads on her birthday) to resolution (she's going to be just fine, thank you). --The Boston Globe, August 17, 2009Bruce LeperreIt's been over 5 years since country music's biggest female hit-maker, Reba McEntire, has released a solo album of all new material. Her latest release finds the 54 year-old award-winning singer and actress on a new label and the fresh start has her sounding rejuvenated and more alive than she has in some time.Lead single, Strange, is unusually saucy and edgy pop. Just When I Thought I'd Stopped Loving You showcases funky guitar and an R&B; flavour. I Want a Cowboy and Pink Guitar both rock out with twang. Maggie Creek Road is a dramatic cautionary tale. Nothing to Lose is a steel guitar and fiddle-infected barnburner. I'll Have What She's Having is traditional western swing. Consider Me Gone and She's Turning 50 Today are female power anthems. The rest of the disc is fleshed out with the ballads Reba is known for.All in all, the new 2009 Reba doesn't travel down any highways she hasn't previously been down before, but she does have a full tank of gas and her finely tuned engine is running on all cylinders. --Winnipeg Free Press, August 15, 2009Carrie PitzerSix years in between solo projects can feel like an eternity for fans. Each year increases expectations that can often lead to disappointment. While full of emotion, there's no room for disappointment on Reba McEntire's "Keep On Loving You." In stores next week, Reba didn't pull any punches and lands a knockout of a debut with The Valory Music Co.The provocative lead-off single, "Strange," brings an immediate sense of control and comfort heard throughout the album. With a renewed energy not felt since "Rumor Has It," her first project with longtime producer Tony Brown, there's never a doubt that this is the real Reba. There's no costume changes, no acting. Just good music.She's a vulnerable daughter, wife and mother in "Eight Crazy Hours (in the story of love") and a woman forced to start anew in "She's Turning 50 Today," a song she co-wrote with Liz Hengber and Tommy Lee James, who have both penned numerous hits for the Oklahoma redhead. But Reba is also dedicated in "I Keep On Lovin' You," shows a youthful sassiness in "Pink Guitar" and displays honesty, realism and strength in "Consider Me Gone."Reba wrote the book on finding relatable music. And if there's a theme for the album, it's being comfortable in your own skin ¬- no matter age, status or other unknown variables called life.She still has her trademark ability to stretch single-syllable words into sentences, but Reba allows the lyrics to speak for themselves, enhancing songs with her vocal prowess instead of work too hard to create power.With 55 million albums sold, Reba has nothing left to prove, except that she's recording the best music of her career. This album proves the best music is created when you're true to yourself, and "Keep On Loving You" is clearly the best country album released so far in 2009. --Norfolk Daily News, August 13, 2009Christian ScaliseCountry Music's beloved redheaded superstar, Reba McEntire has a lot to be proud of with the release of her 31st studio album "Keep On Loving You" issued by the Valory Music Co., a sister label of Big Machine Records.   This highly anticipated debut album brings heavyweight producers Mark Bright and Tony Brown on board in addition to Reba herself! The uniquely talented trio has created a remarkable album that truly defines the meaning of musical diversity.     Reba's staggering status as a worldwide entertainer has spanned beyond the unimaginable concept that most artists only dare to dream of. It's refreshing to see that with all the great success she has been blessed with Reba remains humble, appreciative, and always generous with her time, fans and fellow peers in the business.   "Keep On Loving You" is filled with plenty of tunes that are relatable to all types of music fans, especially women. The albums initial track, "Strange" also the hit debut single brings out a propelled sense of sass and bona fide honesty from the depths of Reba's heart and soul. There's no doubt in my mind that this phenomenal single should have been #1 on the charts; why it wasn't continues to leave me perplexed.   "Just When I Thought I'd Stopped Loving You" follows second with its country/rock influenced structure that showcases a rather different vocal style from Reba that I thoroughly enjoyed. This tongue-in-cheek tell all song allows Reba to shine through with her unmistakable riffs that only she can possess.   The hauntingly tender "Keep On Loving You" emits a story about a woman that has lost the precious love that once anchored their relationship but with a strong faith and desire to make things work, she'll keep on loving him no matter what. The song can also be thought of as a dedication to anyone whom you love.    If you're feeling feisty and looking to get a little rowdy, then "I Want A Cowboy" will fulfill those emotions. Reba has cleverly created a sequel to her 2003 hit "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain." This frisky song will make sure that you're fully aware this gal isn't looking for anything but a REAL cowboy...Yee-haw!!   "Consider Me Gone" and "But Why" prove to be solid standouts on the album with their promising potential to be radio friendly mega-hits further down the road. "But Why" has an even greater chance to soar outside of country music and into other formats of music.   It's obvious that the backbone of this album is catered to the mature women of everyday America in their 30's to 50's whom are experiencing heartache, deceit, fantasy, doubt, the joys and pains of life as a mother and the freedom of being in control. But fear not this shouldn't discourage you from owning a copy!   Lighthearted story song "Pink Guitar" could very well become an anthem for Reba and all her female fans with its encouraging message about the highs and lows of the lives of aspiring female musicians. Electric guitars were once envisioned and played by only men, with much thanks to Reba and Jamie O'Neal (Co-writer) that has now changed.      "She's Turning 50 Today" is a powerful tune about a woman who turns a new chapter in her life and bids goodbye to all the crap that once left her full of fear and depression. The moving lyrics will find many listeners pondering similar situations once experienced in their own lives. (This song was co-written by Ms. McEntire.)   "Eight Crazy Hours (In The Story Of Love)" is quite the tearjerker that will immediately take the listener on a musical journey through the different stages of daily life with its methodical message. Listen closely to the lyrics and you'll discover an unexpected twist in the song itself!    The up-tempo "Nothing To Lose," heart wrenching "Over You," and mysteriously inviting "Maggie Creek Road" are bound to please your ears while the western-swing themed "I'll Have What She's Having" delights with its spunky demeanor and flirtatious attitude!   It's truly great to see Reba back in music and only music at this time in her career. Set aside from all of her other musical projects (Greatest Hits & Reba Duets), this is the first time she has released an album of original material since 2003's "Room To Breathe." I look forward to a nationwide tour that will showcase this new music from Reba hopefully in 2010?    In closing, we highly recommend that you pick up several copies of this fine album for yourself and for your family/friends. For all you music aficionados out there, this album is enhanced and includes two awesome performances by Reba; the "Strange" music video and an exclusive performance of "Consider Me Gone" from CMT's Invitation Only.    With that said, Country Stars Central is pleased to give Reba McEntire's "Keep On Loving You" FIVE Country Stars Central Stars!! --Country Stars CentralHoward CohenKeep on Loving You, Reba McEntire's 31st album, isn't altogether unlike the female-centric mainstream country the singer has made a cottage industry of, but she's found better songs and sounds more committed to them than she has at any time since the release of Read My Mind, one of her better albums, in 1994.Songs like the feisty Nothing to Lose, with its fiddle breaks and quicksilver tempo, and the expert Western swing of I'll Have What She's Having are also the most purely country-oriented tunes McEntire has attempted in decades.While contemporary cuts like Strange and Just When I Thought I'd Stopped Loving You (a track McEntire, 54, jokes is her ``booty call song'') could be standouts on a Carrie Underwood CD, the elder icon is able to bring considerably more personality to them.Good fun. But McEntire's story-telling gifts are at their best on Maggie Creek Road, a backwoods tale of a gun-totin' Mama's vengeance on a man who forces himself on her daughter. It's a classic in the vein of her 1991 cover of The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia and helps McEntire mark a welcome return to form. --The Miama HeraldOver the past three decades, Reba McEntire has become country music's reigning queen of twangy kiss-offs, earnest declarations of love or heartbreak and big-voiced women's anthems.On "Keep on Loving You," her first solo album in six years, the Oklahoma native deftly strikes a balance between pleasing her longtime traditional country followers and reaching the new fan base she has cultivated through her self-titled sitcom and recent tour with "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson.The album, due out Tuesday, is the first since McEntire switched to the Valory label after spending all her long career on MCA. The change seems to have given the flamed-haired songstress a new zest, allowing her to build on the momentum from her 2007 hit album "Reba Duets," which paired her with the likes of Clarkson, Justin Timberlake and Rascal Flatts.The album opens with her sassy top 10 hit "Strange," which ranks along with "Fancy" and "You Lie" as my favorite Reba songs. She plumbs more pop influences with the rollicking yarn "Pink Guitar," and she stays feisty with the raucous "I Want a Cowboy." The bossa nova beat makes "Just When I Thought I'd Stopped Loving You" an interesting listen, even if it doesn't quite work.McEntire's old-school fans will appreciate her sweeping ballad "Consider Me Gone," the swampy revenge tale "Maggie Creek Road" and the relatable storytelling of "She's Turning 50 Today," which she co-wrote. She playfully embraces traditional country with the boot-stomping "Nothing to Lose" and the Western swinging "I'll Have What She's Having."The enhanced CD includes the "Strange" music video and her performance of "Consider Me Gone" from CMT's "Invitation Only: Reba McEntire," premiering Aug. 21. --The Oklahoman, August 14, 2009Reba McEntire has had a very successful and prolific career so far. The 54-year old `Queen Of Country' has released an incredible 31 albums over 33 years and racked up 50 million album sales across the world. Not content with dominating the charts, Reba has also enjoyed success as an actress with her hit sitcom Reba and appearances on stage and in movies. Keep On Loving You is Reba's first release through her new record deal with Valory Music Group. The album's lead single Strange has enjoyed success on country radio and peaked at number 11 in the US country chart.Keep On Loving You contains 13 brand new songs and could be Reba's greatest record to date. Opening with the fantastic lead single Strange, the album is dominated by Reba's incredibly powerful and rich voice. She sounds as good on this record as she ever has and reminds us once again why she's such a country powerhouse. The theme of the album is love in all its guises ranging from being unable to fall out of love with someone (Just When I Thought I'd Stopped Loving You) through to lusting after someone (I Want A Cowboy).Reba certainly knows how to pick a hit song. Next single Consider Me Gone was made for country radio and we're confident it will be yet another huge hit for her. The mid-tempo track has a killer chorus as Reba sings about a relationship breaking down. Elsewhere on the album Reba reflects on getting older on She's Turning 50 Today, sings about the craziness of love on Eight Crazy Hours (In The Story Of Love) and envies a woman letting her hair down on I'll Have What She's Having.The album's highlight is the gorgeous But Why The track finds Reba mulling over giving up her man but coming to the realisation that she'd be crazy to do that. The track is a sure-fire smash-hit and the gentle instrumentation provides the perfect backdrop for Reba's fantastic vocal.Keep On Loving You is a strong release from Reba. For someone that has been in the industry as long as she has, it's incredible that she still manages to surprise. Reba sounds fresh, liberated and as strong as ever on this record. In her own words `I'll have what she's having'. --Entertainment Focus UKRon WynnIt's rare when a performer who has enjoyed sustained success for decades enjoys a renewed burst of popularity.Yet, that's exactly what's happened with country superstar Reba McEntire, whose last release, Reba Duets, topped both the pop and country album charts. McEntire's new CD, Keep on Loving You (Valory), which was released Tuesday, has already yielded, in the first single "Strange," the highest solo chart debut in her glittering 33-year career.But McEntire, whose last 13 studio albums have all achieved platinum status, also made a huge career change with Keep on Loving You . She left the label where she'd risen to iconic levels from 1976-2008 (Polygram/Mercury/MCA) to join the new company Valory."I had enjoyed so much success and had so much fun working with Scott Borchetta [the CEO/President of Valory and its sister label, Big Machine Records]. I didn't know if I wanted to work as hard again as I did when he was at MCA, but once I made that decision, we got right at it and things have worked really well, just as they did," McEntire said. "He's a great music man and someone who knows country music inside out and knows how to make good records."McEntire has won a host of awards, among them 12 from the Academy of Country Music, seven from the Country Music Association, 15 from American Music, and a pair of Grammy honors, plus nine People's Choice awards. The commercial figures are equally stunning, with 33 No. 1s and disc sales of more than 55 million units.McEntire and Borchetta combined forces on 14 of those chart-topping singles and generated more than $22 million in sales during their first period together. Now, McEntire is the crown jewel in a signing splurge that also brought Jewel, Jimmy Wayne and rising newcomer Justin Moore into Borchetta's fold.The new disc's 13 tunes include "Eight Crazy Hours (In The Story of Love)," a searing number about isolation and loneliness, as well as several excellent story songs such as "Fancy" and "Maggie Creek Road." The album also includes heartache numbers "Nothing to Lose" and "Over You," along with lighter themed pieces "Pink Guitar," "I Want A Cowboy" and "I'll Have What She's Having."But perhaps the emotional centerpiece of Keep on Loving You is the emphatic "She's Turning 50 Today," one of two tremendous tunes ("Is There Life Out There" being the other) that dissect and examine issues of aging."This whole thing of once people turn 50 the industry acts as if they've hit some kind of plateau is just silly," McEntire said. "You've got great singers with experience who have so much to give to the young singers and can be inspirations to them, and instead there are people who want to shove them aside. I know right now I don't feel like I'm in my 50s [she's 54]. I feel like I'm in my 30s and have plenty of energy and desire."McEntire is currently concentrating on her music, after earning rave reviews for her performances on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun ("the hardest I've ever worked in any medium," McEntire recalls) and starring in a top-rated sitcom, Reba for six seasons, first on the WB and later the CW."I loved doing that show," McEntire said. "It was so well-written and the actors and producers and directors were wonderful. But when it came time for contract renewal, they just decided to cancel us. We were their number one rated show, and they just didn't want to do it anymore. We're still trying to figure out why they canceled it."However, she's now gearing up for a tour early next year, with plans to be announced regarding dates and locations next month."Right now I'm really happy about this new CD and hope that the fans embrace it," McEntire said. "I'm not looking at doing anything else like television or going back to Broadway, though sometime down the line I would be open to it if the right story came along and the right people were involved."But something that I would like to do one day is host a variety show," she said. "I've always loved all the classic variety shows like the ones that Barbara Mandrell hosted, or Glenn Campbell, The Smothers Brothers, Dolly Parton, Laugh-In, any of those programs. America's Got Talent is really just a variety show. That's something that I hope television will present more in the future, and one day I would love to host one myself." --The City PaperThe songs primarily tell the stories of women at different phases of their lives. "Strange" tells the story of how one woman gets over being dumped by her ex. "Pink Guitar" deals with a young girl's dreams of being "dressed in black like Johnny Cash with a pink guitar." "She's Turning 50 Today" focuses on one woman's unique approach to the big 5-0.The best songs show McEntire's strengths as a singer. "Maggie Creek Road" shows McEntire's fiery and tough side in a song about a mother taking on her daughter's attacker. "Over You" shows Reba's tender and vulnerable side as she sings about a woman who can't move on as well as her ex does.McEntire also shows that she still has some tricks up her sleeve. She shows a surprisingly sexy side on "But Why" and a playfulness on "I'll Have What She's Having."Ultimately, it's Reba's sincerity that makes "Keep On Loving You" one of her best releases. McEntire always seems to want to tell a story with each song she sings. She brings the listener in and allows them to somehow relate to the song.Reba McEntire is a modern country legend beloved by millions of fans and will find more with her latest release. --CD InsightWhitney PastorekReba  McEntire leads off her 31st album with "Strange," an addictively sinister kiss-off that the next 12 tracks struggle to match. Though her voice has aged well, few of these tunes  provide it enough of a challenge, and the ones that do often sound like something she's already done better. Such strong,  female-centric lyrics are too rare nowadays, but if they're not catchy, how will the message sink in? B- --Entertainment Weekly