Brandi Carlile – Give Up the Ghost
Brandi Carlile…ah, her voice is like a dream to me. Except, instead of dreaming in my city bed, I am on a pack roll beside the dying embers of a camp fire, under the wide western skies, watching the stars, my baby nestled under my arm, totally content. Ms. Carlile is about as country as I get, and I only go there for her because she is a kind of hybrid country/folk/singer songwriter mash up and I discovered her on Grey’s Anatomy, whose soundtrack is a great place to discover new artists. Then, it was only The Story track – a classic in any genre. I immediately bought the album, although I could rarely get beyond the first half of the CD. It was just that good. This new CD does not disappoint, and I’ve had it on repeat in my car, on my iPod, and on iTunes as I surf the net. I even made one track the soundtrack to a fan video. And then, like a cherry on the icing, Brandi publicly came out this past week. Not that any of us should be surprised, and not that I am so shallow I don’t look beyond stereotypes, but I would have been more surprised if she’d come out as straight 
. All of this is to say this woman has me hooked. Yup. Hooked. And I hear from a reliable (if not a little horny) source that she is even sweeter to look at IRL, so it can only get better 
.
Ahhh…I put the CD in the CD player (or more accurately, select it from my iTunes library…). What should I expect? I hear that familiar, strong, raw voice, that unexpected twang that melts me in my seat. If Brandi were a preacher, I would be converted: “My one and only wrecking ball, and you’re crashing through my walls!” she sings in Looking Out. The album starts out strong, and soars on Pride and Joy. It is emotionally raw, imbued with a sense of yearning, disappointment, maturity, heartbreak. More consistent than The Story, this album engages me throughout (with notable exceptions, more about them below).
Best lines:
‘I laid a suitcase on my chest just so I could feel somebody’s weight.’ (Looking Out).
‘I was angry. I was a baptist. I was a daughter. I was wrong.’ (That Year)
The notable exceptions are more like low moments on the CD…tracks I can easily skip over. Channeling Cash, the track Caroline completely annoys me. Also, the gender-bending ‘If There Was No You,’ by far the happiest song on the CD and a little too country for me. Makes me want to do-se-do and toe-tap: ‘nothing you could do could make me turn my back on you…” “what I really mean, what Im trying hard to say, is Im counting on you and you got me too, my secrets aren’t safe and …nothing you could do…Im your man…” Although, as I continue to listen, this one grows on me. Touching the Ground completes the more-county-than-I-like trilogy (my opinion completely, of course), rounding it out with a bitter love song…’why do my troubles turn true whenever I rest my eyes on you?” Why, Brandi, maybe you just haven’t met the right gal, yet?
Throughout the album we share the hard times with Brandi, feel the pain, the regret, the disappointment, the sorrow…yet also find some small joy, peaking out its little head every now and then in unexpected places (Oh Dear comes to mind). Before it Breaks is sorrowful, and there is a lyrical quality to her pitch (her ‘yodel’ according to some) which reinforces the pain she sings about. Plus, rock guitar rifts…wicked. Makes it one of my faves and perfect for a Carla & Stella break up fanvideo:
I Will features a lovely backing vocal “I can try but I wont find it where Im looking, I can hold it like putty in my hands, you cant break a heart that’s not yours to break. But I will do the right thing in the end.” “I don’t think you ever learned a thing from me, but I am sure you want me to learn from you. You draw heavy lines around morality, but it’s just your point of view…” Definitely some soul searching on this album, infused with some bitter and tortured angst and regret. Just perfect.
Oh Dear is as hauntingly beautiful as it is melodic and simple, featuring a mandolin and more of those wonderful harmonious backing vocals (male): “together you and I forever…heartbreaks, mistakes…” her voice is stunning on this one…such a heartbreaker! “Only you that my heart desires, only you alone can break my fall…”
This CD is a treat, without a doubt, and although it may not seem as ‘hit’ ready as The Story, it is a more mature sound IMHO, and more consistent throughout. I expect to hear it popping up in my favorite shows as the season progresses. It seems perfect for the self-absorbed storylines of Grey’s Anatomy or the over-the-top drama of Verbotene Liebe!
My top song picks: Pride and Joy, Oh Dear, Looking Out, Before it Breaks
Least Favorite: Caroline, Dreams (the released single, and in my opinion, the most boring track on the CD – simple and repetitive, albeit set to a catchy tune, but not catchy enough to catch me).
Rating: 4/5
For more Brandi, check out her YouTube channel.
In: Musical musings · Tagged with: BrandiCarlile
on November 2, 2009 at 10:56 am
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She just came out last week? WTH? I thought she had been out for a while now.
on November 2, 2009 at 11:17 am
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It was the first time she’d been open about it, according to AfterEllen, who ran a piece on the event. Everyone knows, but this puts it on record, I guess.
on November 30, 2009 at 9:10 am
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her music is nice, but up close, in person, her eyes will melt you through the freakin floor.
btw, what’s wrong with being horny?
on December 18, 2009 at 6:53 pm
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[...] I reviewed it here [...]