Let Me In (Chely Wright album)

Background

Let Me In was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, United States and contained ten tracks of recorded material. The album's producer, Tony Brown, was known for producing other well-known artists on the MCA Nashville label, such as George Strait and Reba McEntire. Brian Wahlert of Country Standard Time found that the albums' production seemed to be marketed towards country pop, calling the album itself a "country-pop gem". Thom Owens of Allmusic found that producer Tony Brown seemed to have stripped the album's production "down to the core". Owens explained that, "for much of Let Me In, she's singing over clean acoustic arrangements; only a few cuts are adorned with pop/rock instrumentation. Wright benefits from the spare arrangements, which only emphasize her lovely voice and charisma." The album's ninth track, "Feelin' Single - Seein' Double", was a cover version of the original song by American country artist Emmylou Harris, found on her 1975 album Elite Hotel. Three of the album's ten tracks were co-written by Wright, including the set opener "Your Woman Misses Her Man", "I Already Do" (which would eventually be released as a single), and "Is It Love Yet".

Critical reception

Let Me In mainly received positive reviews from critics. Country Standard Time's Brian Walhert said that the album's first five songs were "masterfully crafted", calling the third track "Shut Up and Drive" to combine both "sympathy" and "quiet urgency". Walhert also praised the fourth track "Emma Jean's Guitar" for its storyline and plot. Walhert then commented that the album seemed to of gone "downhill" after the fifth track saying, "But then the music starts to go downhill with "Just Another Heartache," sounding like filler for a Lorrie Morgan album. Wright's vocals are always warm and sweet with a slight twang. Here's hoping she comes up with better songs next time out." Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly gave Let Me In a "B+" rating stating, "...on Let Me In, she turns her commanding alto to a fine program of contemporary country, including the title ballad and "Emma Jean's Guitar," a left-field song about a pawnshop instrument and the stories it holds. An unexpected jewel.

Thom Owens of Allmusic also reviewed Let Me In and gave the album four out of five stars, stating that because of the album's production, "the result is her most accomplished and arguably best album to date."

Release and singles

Let Me In spawned its third track "Shut Up and Drive" as the lead single in July 1997. The single became Wright's first Top 40 single as well as her first major hit single, reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart, #112 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart, and also #21 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart. The second single released was the album's sixth track "Just Another Heartache" in November 1997. The single eventually peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart and #51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart. The third and final single spawned from Let Me In was the track "I Already Do" in March 1998. The song peaked at #36 on the Billboard country chart and #59 on the Canadian RPM country chart. Let Me In was officially released on September 9, 1997 on MCA Nashville Records via a compact disc. The album became Wright's first release to chart on the Billboard album charts, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, #171 on the Billboard 200, and #10 on the Top Heatseekers chart. In addition, Let Me In also peaked at #23 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums/CDs chart in 1998.