Released April 27, 2004 (US) Length 38:30 | Recorded 2004 Release date 27 April 2004 | |
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Similar Loretta Lynn albums, Rock music albums | ||
Loretta lynn van lear rose
Van Lear Rose is an album by Loretta Lynn, released in 2004 and produced by Jack White of the rock band the White Stripes. The album was initially intended as a musical experiment, blending the styles of country singer-songwriter Lynn and producer White, who wrote one track, sings a duet with Lynn, and performs on the whole album as a musician. At the time of the album's release, Lynn was 72 and White was 28.
Contents
- Loretta lynn van lear rose
- Critical reception
- Commercial performance
- Track listing
- Personnel
- Awards
- Songs
- References
The title refers to Lynn's origins as the daughter of a miner working the Van Lear coal mines. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and at number 24 on the Billboard 200, the most successful crossover music album of Lynn's 45-year career.
The track "Portland, Oregon" was listed as the 305th best song of the 2000s by Pitchfork Media.
Critical reception
The album was released to glowing reviews and near universal acclaim. It received a rating of 97 at Metacritic.com, the joint-second highest score to date. Blender magazine called the album "Some of the most gripping singing you're going to hear all year.... A brave, unrepeatable record that speaks to her whole life." Stephen Thomas Erlewine with Allmusic said that "The brilliance of Van Lear Rose is not just how the two approaches complement each other, but how the record captures the essence of Loretta Lynn's music even as it has flourishes that are distinctly Jack." Rhapsody ranked the album #16 on its "Country’s Best Albums of the Decade" list. "Jack White, of the bizarre and bluesy duo the White Stripes, produced this effort to jaw-dropping effect. Van Lear Rose is a stripped-down effort that isn't afraid to get dirty -- both in its dark subject matter and in its raucous, gritty tones. And as much as this body of work highlights Lynn's down-home vocals (which are as strong as ever), it's White's production that sends her crashing -- literally -- into the 21st century. On paper, these two disparate souls have little in common, but the bold excitement of the music proves the two are a match made in heaven."
Commercial performance
The album debuted at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart, and No. 24 on Billboard 200, selling 37,000 in its first week, the best sales week for Lynn in the Nielsen Music era.
Track listing
All tracks written by Loretta Lynn, except where noted.
Personnel
Awards
Grammy Awards
Songs
1Van Lear Rose3:50
2Portland - Oregon3:49
3Trouble on the Line2:21