Maria McKee
You Gotta Sin to Get Saved

THE REVIEW

The album that made everyone shout: "Here she is, the Maria we knew!"

The second chapter of Maria McKee's solo career. We are in 1993, a good 4 years after her first work. Things have changed a bit. First of all, in 1991, Maria achieved her greatest (and only) success, number one in the UK for 4 weeks, as well as in almost the entire world, with the single "Show Me Heaven", from the soundtrack of the notorious film "Days of Thunder" with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (the movie that brought them together and made them fall in love). Yes folks, it was really her! Even though it was very, very sugary and sweet.

Geffen, her record label, remained very hopeful to continue in the wake of this success, but Maria was not on board. Out with Mitchell Froom, the artificial producer of the previous album, and welcome Gorge Drakoulias, discoverer and mentor of rock bands like the Black Crowes and the Jayhawks (who are featured on the album). "You Gotta Sin To Get Saved" (meaning "You Have to Sin to Be Saved") thus draws on the carefree rock typical of the '70s, very little inclined to plasticity. The first noticeable difference from the previous album is certainly the general spirit that permeates the entire album, a sort of lightheartedness and happiness that immediately brings to mind jam sessions or even improvisations purely for fun. While rock is the foundation of the 10 songs that make up the album, many country influences also emerge ("Only Once" and "Precious Time"), pop ("I Can't Make It Alone", a cover by Carole King), but especially soul, as demonstrated by the gospel choirs in "I'm Gonna Soothe You", "I Forgive You", and "Why Wasn't I More Grateful (When Life Is Sweet)". Among all, however, two other covers stand out, this time by Van Morrison ("My Lonely Sad Eyes" and "The Way Young Lovers Do"), which testify to the interpretative growth and vocal maturity of this artist.

It's not an album that will drive you crazy at first listen, repeated listens are necessary. The material may initially seem somewhat monotonous and at times "already heard," but after a deep listen, it's easy to understand why "You Gotta Sin To Get Saved" is still considered by the vast majority of fans as "the" album of Maria McKee.

Maria... save us!