The Awakening (Bonus Video Version)

iTunes Review

Melissa Etheridge, the person, has always mirrored Melissa Etheridge, the artist. For three decades she has built her following performing songs that are both anthemic and extremely personal, built to be performed in arenas and contemplated in the home. Etheridge claims The Awakening is a concept album, and its life affirming message is clearly a result of her battle with breast cancer. As a survivor, it has given her a taste of mortality and an appreciation for the simple joys of day to day life. She needs to communicate these new feelings and it extends to the chatty confessionals in the lyrics (“An Unexpected Rain”) and the heroic drama she has always sought in her music. There is nothing here that Etheridge hasn’t done before musically, but the message is updated and her melodies are every bit as strong and deliberate as ever. “California,” “Message to Myself” and “God Is In the People “ are packed with personal quirks alongside catchy choruses and universal feelings of love and struggle.