Let It Rain

1	Let It Rain 3:40
2	Another Sun 3:11
3	You're the One 3:06
4	In the Dark 5:02
5	Almost 3:52
6	Hard Wired 3:36
7	Say Hallelujah 2:11
8	Broken 4:25
9	Happy 4:00
10	Goodbye 2:28
11	Over in Love Instrumental 1:47
12	I Am Yours 3:36

Barnes & Noble

On Let It Rain, Tracy Chapman takes a U-turn from the glossy folk-pop of 2000's Telling Stories, and the road leads her to some of the most exciting, challenging destinations of her impressive career. Chapman produced the album with John Parish, who's best known for his work with alternative-rock queen PJ Harvey, and Let It Rain is full of spacious, haunting settings for Chapman's evocative, intimate lyrics. With Tom Waits's guitarist, Joe Gore, and Beck's drummer, Joey Waronker, helping to anchor the restrained and atmospheric arrangements, songs such as "Almost" and "I Am Yours" are both appealingly melodic and artfully complex. Chapman's never been a cheery writer; the power of her burnished, smoky voice comes from its weary, introspective quality. But she tempers the disillusionment of "Another Sun," "Broken," and "In the Dark" with a prayerful quality that underlies much of the rest of the album. "Give me hope/that help is coming/when I need it most" goes the title track's refrain; it's an expression less of despair than of optimistic longing. "Say Hallelujah" is a spiritual built on a syncopated bass line and handclaps, and the jaunty "You're the One" is an open declaration of love, albeit for someone others call "uncouth, untamed and unrestrained"; it's the album's most exuberant track. Throughout Let It Rain, Chapman and company mingle shadows and light, and the result is something very beautiful. Steve Klinge

All Music Guide

Irrespective of the ups and downs of her career, Tracy Chapman has had one thing going for her that a number of singer/songwriters lack: a major label. This assures that she'll always get what every performer wants: a fair hearing and perhaps even radio exposure. On Let It Rain, Chapman turns in another introspective album that flows quietly from track to track and will remind listeners of New Beginning (1995) and Telling Stories (2000). The album begins with a sequence of warm, easygoing songs. "Another Sun" finds a slow, bluesy groove that perfectly matches Chapman's soulful lyric, while "In the Dark" explores the murky undercurrent of relationships. There's a loose quality to many of Chapman's lyrics, meaning that a number of things can be read into them. On the title cut, she expresses an openness to everything that the rain brings, whether it's good or bad. "Almost" evokes the spiritual longing familiar to anyone who's come very close, but still fell short, of attaining a dream, a goal, or a perfect relationship. John Parish's full arrangements and warm production provide a sympathetic setting for Chapman's songs and vocals. The only grievance one might find with Let It Rain is that many of the songs have a similar feel and lack distinctive melodies to keep them from blending together. Fans who have enjoyed Chapman's recent albums, however, will enjoy Let It Rain's evocative lyrics and lovely vocals. Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

Entertainment Weekly

This is the CD you play on the drive home after the breakup, the pavement getting sucked under the tires of your fast car. (B) Kristina Feliciano