The Way It Really Is is Lisa Loeb’s fifth studio album, not counting The Purple Tape. It felt like a particularly long wait for me, personally, between the last two records and this one, although it was only two or three years. For whatever reason, I remember that being a really long time. I remember really looking forward to this one, and wanting it really badly. It didn’t disappoint
The tone of Lisa’s music has really changed since her first four records. The lyric style has gotten a bit heavier in tone and context. There is no less of a rock style punch in this record, though, especially in tracks like Fools Like Me, Probably, and I Control The Sun. These tracks in particular tend to reflect some of Lisa’s earlier works.
The lyrics themselves tend to be a little heavier in tone. There are a lot of really good tracks on this record. Like everything before it, it also builds up that gradual ramp of a more direct rock inspired take on her music.
This is a very solid, if overlooked entry into Lisa Loeb’s catalog It’s unfortunate that this one didn’t get any more attention than it did. It’s possible that it simply came out at a time when Lisa’s popularity was at a low, but it’s really not fair that for the most part, even serious fans don’t seem to acknowledge or appreciate it. This one is absolutely worth a listen, especially if you’re a Lisa Loeb fan who hasn’t necessarily given it a chance before.
Track list:
- Window Shopping
- I Control The Sun
- Hand-Me-Downs
- Fools Like Me
- Try
- Diamonds
- Would You Wander
- Probably
- Accident
- Lucky Me
- Now I Understand
Tara's Corner 
Leave a comment