AMG Review of I Need You [Bonus Tracks]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

LeAnn Rimes had been inching toward pop as the '90s grew to a close, but she truly lunged at the pop charts with the soundtrack to Coyote Ugly, providing the voice for Piper Perabo's star-struck, fledgling singer/songwriter. This was a prelude to 2001's I Need You, her first full-fledged pop album -- a crossover affair with more in common with Faith Hill's Breathe than Shania Twain's Come on Over. That means that its footing is squarely within adult contemporary pop, and it's heavy on ballads. Even when the tempo is kicked up a notch, as on "You Are," with its percolating drum machines, it's still midtempo AC pop. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially since she has a couple of good songs here (notably "I Need You," "But I Do Love You," and the Coyote leftover, "Can't Fight the Moonlight"). That she succeeds at all is a testament to her vocal talents and the skills of her producers. [The 2002 reissue features a different track order and five extra songs, including "Light the Fire Within" and several radio edits]