"Unmistakable: Love" marks country music vocalist Jo Dee Messina's first extended play release. "Unmistakable: Love" is the first part of a trilogy, with plans for "Unmistakable: Drive" and "Unmistakable: Inspiration" to be released later in the year.
This extended play was released on April 27th 2010, by Curb Records, a record label which is home to well-respected country music singers such as Tim McGraw and Leann Rimes. Jo Dee Messina, originally from Massachusetts, has been a Curb Records recording artist since 1996.
Jo Dee Messina’s Accomplishments
In 1998, Jo Dee Messina was honored as the Top New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music (ACM), and she went on to win the prestigious 1999 Horizon Award by the Country Music Association (CMA).
Messina is one of the first few female vocalists in the country music genre to have three consecutive songs, from one album, to go to #1 on the Country charts, and stay at that top position for multiple weeks. These songs that spent multiple weeks at the top of Billboard's Country charts include "I'm Alright," "Bye, Bye" and "Stand Beside Me" from her sophomore release "I'm Alright," which turned her into a country music megastar.
Noteworthy Songs on Unmistakable: Love
On “Unmistakable: Love,” Messina serves as one of its five co-producers, and Messina co-wrote two songs including “I’m Home” and “I Think About Us,” enhancing her talent as an artist. The extended play opens with "Hard Life," and “Always Have, Always Will,” is a poignant tune in which the narrator in the song proclaims her unconditional love for an old friend.
Jo Dee Messina’s title track "Unmistakable" is a power ballad and a love song which she dedicates to her husband; following Messina’s 2000 hit “Burn,” the title track is perhaps one of the most emotionally-potent ballads in Messina’s career.
“Treat Me Like a Woman Today,” co-written by American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, is an uptempo country-rock tune in which Messina’s voice is reminiscent to Bonnie Raitt’s, who happens to be a musical influence of hers.
“Welcome to the Rest of My Life” is a catchy, uptempo tune which would be a solid choice of becoming a future single, due to its positive message and radio-friendly nature. “I Think About Us,” is an emotional and poignat tune, which Messina co-wrote, in which she reminisces about an old love and what could’ve been.
Acoustic Covers of Jo Dee Messina Hits
On "Unmistakable: Love," the final two tracks are acoustic covers of past Jo Dee Messina hits, including "Because You Love Me" and "Stand Beside Me." Several years ago, “Because You Love Me,” garnered special attention since Carrie Underwood performed this tune while competing on American Idol.
This extended play concludes with Messina’s acoustic version of "Stand Beside Me," in which she never sounded better. Messina manages to dust off the 1998 original from her “I’m Alright” album, and this rendition truly showcases her voice in its purest voice, as well as her dynamic vocal range.
The Verdict
In summation, Messina's "Unmistakable: Love" is a substantial indication that she has scored a comeback after a six year absence in country music since her last record “Delicious Surprise.” There is not a filler track in this release, making it difficult for the listener to choose a favorite recording.
The only downside to this album is that it consists of only nine songs and leaves the listener thirsty for more; however, there is more music to come later this year from Jo Dee Messina with two more extended play volumes of “Unmistakable." For more information on Jo Dee Messina and her music, visit Jo Dee Messina's official website.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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