christian921's Full Review: Brandi Carlile by Brandi Carlile
In the land of the Yeti was born more than just fables and folklore. A mere 23 years ago a child was born with as much spirit and determination as any. In her rural surrounds festered a calling and that desire led to passion. From singing in her bedroom, at friend’s birthdays and even as back-up to an Elvis impersonator she caught the eye of a scout at Columbia Records. In 2004 she took the step from dreaming and started living her childhood fantasy. Brandi Carlisle released a self titled debut album with her band making her dreams a reality.
Listening to her album it makes for a hard comparison to a lot of other things that you have heard. There is a lot of depth to both the performance and to the songwriting so much so that it is hard to believe that she was born after the first shuttle lunched and when Return of the Jedi had just hit the theaters. Brandi has a slow, deliberate delivery that draws you into listening closer. She has very pleasant and clear voice sung in a hue that almost reminds me of much younger Reba. The passion and conviction that she brings to your ears reminded me of how well Bette Midler sells her voice. Brandi brings a lot of talent to you vocally.
Brandi Carlisle is tough one to pick for a certain style or genre. She has a country/folk voice delivered a poppy singer/songwriter kind of way. Sort of like if James Taylor and Patsy Kline has a little girl hidden in the backwoods of Washington. They didn’t, not that I know of.
The album itself is very good, especially for a debut. The music is up-beat, romantic at times; slow but never dull. The music is not mainstream in the sense you will not here this at the club or on top forty stations. I describe it as Border’s music. This is the kind of music you hear at a bookstore and wonder who is playing over the intercom. Some young hipster popped in his latest discovery as a lure just to get people to come over to the counter to ask. Secretly, these Border’s hipsters revel in this sort of pimping; “Yeah, I’ve been listening to this for months now. Great stuff.” They will always try to give you that I-bet-you-wish-you-were-this-cool feeling. Watch those hipsters.
Musically the album never charges in the rock category but is much more substantial than mere pop. The songs will range from your slower, romantic numbers like a happy Tracy Chapman to your quicker songs like happy Annie Lennox. This averages out to be Sarah McLachlan, musically that is. Vocally Brandi is more diverse. The music ranges nicely song to song and all melt well together. You will be surprised.
1. Follow
2. What Can I Say
3. Closer To You
4. Throw It All Away
5. Happy
6. Someday Never Comes
7. Fall Apart Again
8. In My Own Eyes
9. Gone
10. Tragedy
Playtime
32.9 minutes / 34.1 mb on iTunes
Brandi Carlisle uses basic percussion in most of her songs. She strums her guitar on every track which gives you that singer/songwriter vibe but vocally the music is simply something all together different. On a few of the tracks she sneaks in some stringed accompaniment or piano but they are always just background to her voice. Every track on Brandi’s debut album features her voice front and center. It is a good place for it too. She sings with confidence and conviction, far more than her years would lead you to believe. Brandi plays the guitar very well with her trio. The small arrangement amplifies her voice as the focus of the songs. Closer to you, What can I say, Fall apart again, and In my eyes are the strongest tracks on the album. Musically these tracks are richer and more vibrant than the others. There really isn’t any low lights to the album but for me at least Tragedy and Gone, the last two tracks on the album were just less interesting than the others. Throughout the album the music is bright, complete and delightful.
Final thoughts
This album has grown on me. I enjoyed my first listen but thought it would be hard to get into repeated listening. Each time around I have found a new little something that I didn’t hear before and I have caught myself listening to this album over and over again. Brandi’s soft and textured voice aligned with skillful songwriting is compelling enough that I am looking forward to her next album.
For a listen hit Brandi’s website:
http://www.brandicarlile.com/
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