After twenty five years of recording and touring , singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge is about to release “4th Street Feeling,” her twelfth studio album and what an album it is. With numerous hit singles, Grammy awards, and even her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Melissa certainly has nothing left to prove. And yet, with “4th Street Feeling” she has created the most poignant and introspective record of her career since her self-titled debut in 1988.
For this album, Etheridge has gone back to her roots with songs that run the gamut from bluesy rock to country jams and laidback folk. Harkening back to her youthful days growing up in Leavenworth, Kansas, the record kicks off with “Kansas City.” The tune has a country feel to it with great harmonica work as Melissa tells the tale of pursuing her dreams and leaving home for the first time. Continuing on that theme, the title track, “4th Street Feeling,” has a stripped down folk rock appeal as she recalls childhood memories. Things take a more positive direction on “Falling Up” which is an upbeat country jam featuring Etheridge on a hybrid banjo/guitar, the banjitar. The rock anthem, “Shout Now,” really cranks it up and seems to be a reflection of the personal struggles Melissa has recently endured. Truly her vocals have never sounded better and she closes out the album with the heartfelt acoustics of “I Can Wait” and the sexy, bluesy groove of “Rock and Roll Me.”
With “4th Street Feeling” Etheridge has combined the passion of her earlier work with the songwriting ability that only a lifetime of experiences can provide. Melissa is back and after twenty five years in the business she is at the top of her game.
