Album Review: Chely Wright -- Lifted Off The Ground, Indeed

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column for this blog regarding the Chely Wright's public revelation of her homosexuality. I said then and I'll say it again now, I have a lot of respect and admiration for Chely's bravery and desire to stand up for herself and what she believes in. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be happy in life. It's what we as individuals do with that opportunity that determines our direction in life. Chely has charted a new path for herself spiritually, personally, and now with the release of her new album Lifted Off The Ground, musically.

Released on June 10, 2010 on Vanguard Records, this album takes Chely on a deep, personal and often painful journey. Only someone who has lived through the subject matter contained in this 11 song collection, could write something that evokes such an emotional roller coaster. For us as listeners, we should all thank Chely Wright for getting her thoughts on paper and piecing together this wonderful album. Such honesty is so refreshing. Quite frankly, Lifted Off The Ground is one of the best albums I've heard in years.

The lead track on the album is "Broken." It sets the stage for one of the over-arching themes of the next half hour or so as you listen to Chely lay out her recent life story. This record is about hurt, struggle, pain and ultimate strength and redemption. "Broken" is about two people who have been in relationships previously, only to be left hurting in the end. The story in "Broken" talks about how these two people can take a relationship to the next step, trying to get past the previous pain. The song resonates because most everyone has been in this position at some point in their lives.

"Hang Out In Your Heart" is a beautiful ode to two people who have discovered their feelings for each other and are trying to find a way to work out their feelings as individuals and together.

"Heavenly Days" is a song co-written with the great Rodney Crowell, who is also the producer on this album. Although it's not my favorite song from the album, it is a very well written and performed song that speaks to the constant birth of a new day. A new day that should be embraced always.

"Notes to the Coroner" is a song like I've never heard before. Only someone who has been in this position in life could write something with such honesty. Just a startling piece of work.

"Snow Globe" can only be compared to the type of scattered thinking that comes with a traumatic experience. It's a uniquely written song and performed admirably.

"Like Me" is an open book and a clearly personal song that Chely simply had to write and record. It seems to this listener that writing this song was a necessary part of the healing process for Chely Wright with respect to her previous relationship. With only two acoustic guitars and a background vocalist accompanying Chely, that makes this song the most poignant on the record.

"That Train" is a simple story of leaving it all behind. Great song.

Up next is the song with the most attitude, and I love it . "Damn Liar" is what everyone would love to say to a lover who won't leave well enough alone when the relationship is all over with. This is a tune that resonates with sheer anger. The ultimate F-U tune, just awesome. I can't help but think how liberating it must have been to write this tune. All I can say is, "well done!"

"Wish Me Away" shows a vulnerability that we've all experienced at a time in our lives, when one or more parties of a relationship that's ended has second thoughts about how it all came undone ... and was it the right thing to do.

As I listen to the next track, "Object of Your Rejection," I can't help but wonder who the hell Chely Wright was with that spawned this tune and really, this whole album. Not only who the hell she was with, but why she was with her ... the subject of this song sounds like a ridiculous human being. Sadly, we've all known people like this.

The album closes with the beautiful and simple "Shadows of Doubt." A nice, simply arranged song about wishing a former lover all the best that the world has to offer.

This album is an important album on the musical landscape. If you're out shopping around for some outstanding music that is socially relevant in today's world, Chely Wright's "Lifted Off the Ground" is well worth your time. You can pick it up at your favorite record store, or purchase it online at amazon.com

For more information on Chely Wright, including where to see Chely perform and her charitable endeavors, please check out www.chely.com