You know how, when you were a little kid, teenager, and maybe even into your 20s, when you didn't have much money and could only afford a few albums, you would listen to the few that you had over and over until you even memorized where all the skips were? I often wonder why I don't do that anymore. Is it because I'm older and more jaded about music? Is it because I am too self-conscious and competitive that I'm not open enough to other peoples' music? Is it that there are too many options out there, and that it's so accessible that I don't appreciate it anymore? Maybe the music that is out there doesn't do it for me?
I am happy and relieved to report that I have found a CD that makes me feel like a kid again. It's called
Brandi Carlile, and it is by Brandi and her two band mates, twin brothers Phil and Tim Hanseroth. In the past few years, I have unfailingly been drawn to singers who, while performing under their own auspices, are considerably aided and abetted by a songwriter and/or arranging partner. (see
Feist and
Angela McCluskey). No matter what its provenance, this CD is a classic. Go and
buy it!This CD makes me believe in the future of pop music again. All the songs on the album are superb. I love the arrangements. I love the production. All three of the band members are incredibly talented, and the addition of the drummer on this album adds a whole dimension of space and emotion to the mix. The guitar lines are juicy and hooky, and the bass provides both anchor and urgent propulsion. And Brandi sounds like the child of kd lang and Roy Orbison and even looks like Elvis on the back of the CD. The harmony vocals are truly sublime. It is pure, ecstatic, drive-with-the-windows-rolled-down, ear candy that makes me remember why I love music in the first place. The whole CD makes serotonin go charging through my brain.
What I find particularly refreshing about this album is its sonic roundness and voluptuousness. From the chimey tone of the acoustic guitar to the enveloping lushness of the harmony vocals and Brandi's sparkly, rich alto, this album is not afraid to be beautiful. There is no hipster detachment here. And there is none of the neo-folk, yuppie, squeaky-clean angularity that sounds like background music for an IKEA showroom. So many of today's female singer-songwriters affect a breathy, little-girl voice, and deliver their lyrics in an oddly juvenile, matter-of-fact, hypersuburban accent ("My-eeee fa-the-errr".) Brandi sings with the frankness of Loretta Lynn and the machismo of Patsy Cline.
I am very fond of "In My Own Eyes" - I love the harmonies on the "hide me" part. I just melt everytime I hear that. I love the last "hide me" where Brandi just cries out with abject bewilderment and profound sadness. That is pure emotion and just great singing. I feel the pathos.
BUT I have to say "Throw it All Away" is the one that makes me want to scream. (I missed my chance to do this in my childhood and adolescence. My mom wouldn't let me go to concerts when I was a kid--I think I wanted to see the Osmonds or something-- because she read that people had been trampled at a Who concert. Maybe that's why I became a folkie-fear of being trampled) I can't wait to see them live somewhere (are they bringing a drummer on any tours?) so I can make a fool out of myself like one of those Beatles women.
posted by Lisa Moscatiello #
12:51 PM |
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