Brandi Carlile is a fairly well known name in the singer/songwriter camp these days. The Story became a major hit and she has kept a steady cult following since her early days. She definitely kept her smokey voice and emotional deliveries for her latest release.
It starts on with power ballad "Right on Time", which sounds like a wrenching breakup song. The second chorus brings in some distortion that kind of drowns her out and I wish they had found a production where she isn't lost in it.
If you need a smooth beat and something fun, "You and Me on the Rock" meets the mark. I feel like she sounds a little like she's trying to keep up with the melody at times, which causes some of the enuniciation to get difficult.
With "This Time Tomorrow", it sounds like her backup singer is getting as much stage as her and that's kind of weird since it is not credited as a duet. It is a sweet love song nevertheless.
"Broken Horses" is the first song that really grabbed me. The grit, the energy, and the power in her vocals. You can hear everything.
"Letter to the Past" is okay. I feel like sometimes the melody and production is not fitting her voice for this album as much.
"Mama Werewolf" is another stronger track. I think she does better with the folksier sound than the other songs.
"When You're Wrong" is absolutely beautiful. The delivery has it sounds more like a coffeehouse vibe, and she really is taking the whole room. She isn't lost behind anything and her emotion shines through.
The second half of this album has been much stronger. "Stay Gentle" is a much stronger ballad than the early ones.
"Sinners, Saints, and Fools" has everything come together perfectly. The song seems like a powerful statement to those who use the good book to harm and hurt other people, the opposite of what Jesus would do.
"Throwing Good After Bad" seems like an odd closer. It does draw back to song one more. It didn't grab me as much but it came right after a great song so that could be why.
Lyrics: 7/10 - Much of the lyricism is meaningful and says a lot. I like the storytelling vibe she has.
Music: 5/10 - My biggest complaint of the album is everything not quite meshing together with her vocals.
Overall: 6/10 - If you like her, certainly it won't disappoint. I don't think it is her greatest body of work, but good enough to pick up.
Comments
Post a Comment
Suggestions or comments