Fantastic harmonies, lovely melodies and fun, toe-tapping songs make "Forgive" a must have album for country fans! Below is a brief summary of each song on the CD.

1. "Beautiful To You"- An upbeat song about a girl saying she's happy as can be since she is beautiful to her boyfriend.

2. "Dancin' in God's Country"- A pure country tune!

3. "It Didn't Look Like Alcohol"- A song about a man struggling with his life.

4. "Life Had Other Plans"- A song about plans not happening and then realizing that maybe life has other ideas for you.

5. "Forgive"- Rebecca's first hit single about a woman's husband admitting that he's been cheating and him asking for her forgiveness. Faith Hill was supposed to record this song.

6. "It's My Job To Fall"- A beautiful song about being there for someone who's had somebody walk out on them.

7. "Jesus and Bartenders"- An amusing song about a similarity that Jesus and bartenders share ("They hear things that men don't tell their wives/Sinful secrets whiskey brings to light/One man offers comfort from the cross/The other only comfort on the rocks").

8. "This Love"- A gorgeous ballad about being in a perfect, fairy tale-like relationship.

9. "When Did You Ever Listen To Me"- A song about a woman saying she's planning on leaving her man because he has never listened to her.

10. "Memorized"- A melancholy song about a lost love and how she's memorized everything about him.

11. "Pink Flamingo Kind of Love"- A fun, lighthearted tune about a simple life.

12. "Softly and Tenderly"- A traditional religious song. Very pretty!


The little lady with a BIG voice   January 25, 2003
K. Stuckey (Port Huron, MI USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

After overcoming what seems like insurmountable odds, Rebecca Lynn Howard has 'made it'. Her new CD shows her vocal chops, alongside her already well-established writing skills.

The songs on this CD range from the fun, pop-oriented "Beautiful to You" to the powerful first single "Forgive" and the award-winning gospel "Soft and Tenderly". Also "It Didn't Look like Alcohol" is a powerful song about one man's battle with the bottle; "Life Had Other Plans For Me" is a positive song about how everything happens for a reason, even if it doesn't make sense at the time; "Pink Flamingo Kind of Love" is an upbeat song about not having a lot of money, but being rich in another way. My favorite song is the toe-tappin' ode to small town life "Dancin' in God's Country", she throws in a couple of great Bob Wills-esque 'a-ha's.

Skip Shania, forget Faith, reach for Rebecca Lynn Howard's CD in the store!


Good Sophomore Set   September 23, 2002
J. M. Zuurbier (Canada)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Rebecca Lynn Howard returns with her sophomore effort FORGIVE which is a unique blend of traditional country mixed with contemporary country. The title track and first single is one of the summer's hottest ballads in country music, showing her range, a song about discovering a lovers betrayal and trying to cope with the pain. "Beautiful To You" opens up the album, a good uptempo number with cool instrumentation, a song about feeling beautiful because you're loved. "It's My Job To Fall" is a definate highlight on this CD, a beautiful ballad. Same goes for the strong ballad "Memorized" about a lost love, but still remembering everything because it was memorized. "This Love" sports some great vocals, and "Pink Flamingo Kind of Love" is a fun upbeat number with catchy lyrics and a killer backing track. Other highlights include the traditional "Jesus and Bartenders", the ballad "When Did You Ever Listen To me" and the closing "Softly and Tenderly". Overall this is a well rounded effort that deserves more than a few listens.


Impressive Sophomore Album   September 11, 2002
Maren Cuykendall (Coralville, IA United States)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Rebecca Lynn Howard's self-titled debut CD was stunning. It was obvious then how talented this young lady is. She writes and she can sing as well as anyone. She has Martina-like pipes and uses them well. Rebecca wrote or co-wrote 7/12 songs on her second album "Forgive". Rebecca scores again and proves to us that she's still that same talented woman that she was with her debut album. The title track is going up the charts right now and it's a winner. A song about infidelity and the feelings of anger and sadness and confusion that go along with it. There is a little something for everyone on this album...as Rebecca's style has a very wide range. "Beautiful To You"-the opening track is very pop sounding, but a great tune indeed. But the very next track "Dancin' In God's Country" is as country as it gets. It's nice that Rebecca is not ashamed to show her true country roots. Another standout on the album is "This Love". The song could have been just another generic love song, but this one offers something more. The arrangement and instruments are stunning on this song. "When Did You Ever Listen To Me" shows Rebecca with attitude, and rightly so. You won't be able to help yourself...this song will get you singing along. "Memorized" is another beautiful ballad and is a song about lost love. It's very sad, but Rebecca keeps it fresh. The album closes with "Softly and Tenderly", the song she contributed to "The Apostle" soundtrack. She does it complete justice and it's amazing to hear her sing this song. This is a great effort from Rebecca. There are many likeable tunes on this album. Yet, some can become forgettable. But we can "forgive" her for that. If this is a sign of what is to come from Rebecca, then we're in for a real treat. If you like hard-core country or country-pop, you'll like this album. And that's pretty rare for an album that can appeal to both audiences.


On the way to Graceland...   August 17, 2004
D. Hioki (Buffalo, NY)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I took my wife and parents to the Grand Ole Opry in October 2003, just after this album was released. RLH sang two songs, a funny one about breaking up with a boyfried and "Forgive". When she belted out that ballad, I turned to my wife and said, "She's gonna be a huge star one day." After the show, of course, we stopped in the gift shop and grabbed the CD. Good stuff.