Brave and Crazy is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on September 11, 1989. As of 2010, the album has sold 632,000 copies in the United States alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Contents
Reception
Billboard commented that "though more polished, rocker's sophomore outing never sacrifices passion, emotion, and guts for style. Etheridge remains a one-trick artist - most of her songs are in a similar midtempo rocker guitar style - but her lyrics, delivered with startling conviction, lead her to the head of the class."
In their review, Cashbox stated that "Brave and Crazy documents an artist still stoking the furnace of desire...Alternating between somewhat balladic songs and fierce rockers, the album does not suffer the dreaded sophomore slump, but it does convey the suffering born of the blues...While much is said of Etheridge’s vocal instrument, her prowess as a 12-string ace is a large part of why her compositions succeed as well as they do."
Allmusic noted that "the throaty singer/guitarist/composer is slightly more reflective than on her first release, but no less confident. Nor is she is any less rootsy. Etheridge's earthiness is a large part of her appeal, and she uses it most advantageously...As introspective as things get on this CD, Etheridge never becomes wimpy or self-pitying. For all its vulnerability, Brave and Crazy is the work of someone who comes across as a survivor."
Track listing
All tracks written by Melissa Etheridge, except where noted.
"No Souvenirs" – 4:33
"Brave and Crazy" – 4:37
"You Used to Love to Dance" – 5:33
"The Angels" – 4:38
"You Can Sleep While I Drive" – 3:14
"Testify" (Etheridge, Kevin McCormick) – 4:28
"Let Me Go" – 3:56
"My Back Door" – 4:24
"Skin Deep" – 3:10
"Royal Station 4/16" – 7:08
Note
The album lists the running time of two songs incorrectly: "You Used to Love to Dance" actually runs 5:33 (not 4:33) and "Royal Station 4/16" runs 7:08 (not 6:40). The correct times are printed on the disc itself.
Personnel
Melissa Etheridge – vocals, twelve-string guitar, producer, arranger
Bono – harmonica
Bernie Larsen – electric guitar
Mauricio-Fritz Lewak – drums
Kevin McCormick – bass guitar, producer, arranger
Scott Thurston – keyboards
Waddy Wachtel – guitar
Production
Niko Bolas – producer, mixing, engineer
Niko Bolas, Bob Vogt – engineer,
Tom Banghart – assistant engineer
Larry Goodwin – assistant engineer
Randy Wine – assistant engineer
Dennis Keeley – photography
Robin Fredriksz – make-up