Track listing: Reel You In, Show Me, Kiss Me in the Rain (Album Version), Smile Today (Slow Version), Sweet Noise, Tall, Dark & Chevy, Kiss Me in the Rain (Radio Edit), Smile Today (Remix), Hunkie Hottie
Hailing from Dickson, Alberta, Mary Anne Message's Bucket List Re-Written is a re-invigoration of her 2018 Bucket List release. The song "Smile Today" begat both a slow version and remix, and the playful "Hunky Hottie" was added to the album's track listing. Overall, the rewrite clocks in at about 7-1/2 minutes longer than its predecessor.
Message's songs fall somewhere between Alt Country and Pop, embodying moments of Shania's panache but with an added 'down home' informality that allow for the frivolity and more rock approach of songs like "Tall, Dark & Chevy." But across the entire album, there's certainly a commercially appealing aspect to her music. "Reel You In" originally dropped back in 2015 and sat atop numberonemusic.com's Country Pop Charts for 30+ weeks! Then carrying on the success, upon the full album's release in 2018, "Sweet Noise" went to #1 on the Alternative Country Charts, with "Tall, Dark & Chevy" peaking at #6 on the same chart.
Filling out the album's sound are members of Brett Kissel's band (to date, Kissel has earned 23 CCMA Awards & 3 Junos). The band recorded Bucket List at Evergreen Studios--Matty McKay (guitar), Justin Kudding (bass), Spencer Cheyne (drums), Bart McKay (organ), & Mitch Jay (banjo), and Mike Stevens (harmonica). The ensemble basically knocked it outta the park. The riffs are tight, the arrangements purposeful, and the instrumentalist consistently jump out in features tastily, never stepping on the whole of each track.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming article with Mary Anne, when we'll dive into her influences, career arc, and what led to the "re-written" aspect of Bucket List. We do know she's been staying really busy on a number of projects, including participating in the Rising Star competition at the iconic Ranchman Calgary. In the meantime, keep up with all things Mary Anne Message through her site: mamessage.com.