Trouble In Shangri-La ()

*SIGH* Seven years is a long time. Since Stevie Nicks' last disc, Street Angel, we've seen a Fleetwood Mac renaissance, a Stevie box set, and the constant promises of a new album. Finally, at last, we've got it. And, despite the long, sometimes torturous wait, it has definitely been worth the wait.

Stevie has outdone herself, surrounded by a talented group of producers, musicians, and the best song writing since Bella Donna. After hearing the entire CD, here's my thoughts and rating of each individual song

Trouble in Shangri-La - The CD starts off with a bang. "Trouble" is complex, sophisticated, and kicks off with two of the major themes throughout TISL - fame (and the misery that comes with it)and heartbreak. (Also, be sure to listen for the very effective use of the elements - water, fire, air - througout all the songs.) My rating - A

Candlebright - Here, Stevie sings of being a "Nomad", a wanderer, harkening back to her days as a "Gypsy". Haunting lyrics and very effective. My rating - B+

Sorcerer - One of the hardest rockers on the CD. Upbeat, with Stevie hitting high notes she hasn't visited in years. Worth the price of the CD alone. My rating - A+

Planets of the Universe - Another complex, constantly changing song. Powerful lyrics, very catchy chorus. Reminds me of "Rhiannon" and "Rooms on Fire" and one of the crown jewels of the album. My rating - A+

Everyday - My one disappointment on the entire disc. This song, NOT written by Stevie, is a standard, generic pop song that could have been done by Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Shawn Colvin, or any other female singer that has appeared lately. Stevie sings it well, but I would much, much rather have had something she had penned. My rating - B-

Too Far From Texas - Getting back to her country roots with Dixie Chick Natalie Maines, Stevie seems at home here. I'm not a big country music fan, but I do like this. My rating - B+

That Made Me Stronger - Catchy, pure Stevie lyrics. Much more interesting when you know the history of the song that she wrote it after asking Tom Petty to help her with her songwriting. Very cool. My rating - A

It's Only Love - Stevie grabs hold of this Sheryl Crow penned tune and doesn't let go. As she's said in the past, Sheryl knows her very well, knows the kind of life she has led. Simple, but very, very effective. My rating - A+

Love Changes - Wow! My first listen to this was "what is this??" This is probably Stevie's most experimental song on the disc. Very different, but it works for me. My rating - A

I Miss You - Ah. With Lindsey playing along. (And I still swear I hear him backing her on the vocals, though supposedly he isn't!) Very sweet, or, like many Stevie tunes, bittersweet. My rating - A

Bombay Sapphire - The only track produced solo by Stevie. I like it and finally realized this is her "Ode to the Sea" song, something I can relate to. (Bonus I can't even hear the backing of Macy Gray!) My rating - B

Fall From Grace - Of all the tracks, this one sounds like a Fleetwood Mac song to me. A pure rocking track, something I wasn't sure we'd get from Stevie anymore. I love it and want to hear it in concert. My rating - B+

Love Is - What a way to wrap up the best disc of her career! A tender, sad song reminiscent of "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You". Sarah MacLachlan's backing voice adds some chills. Excellent. My rating - A+

We, the fans, have been waiting a long, long time for this. Not just new Stevie material, but material that matters. And we've got it. Guys, it doesn't get much better than this. Trouble in Shangri-La makes me proud to be a Stevie Nicks fan.