Brandi Carlile - Brandi Carlile

Genre rock Publisher Columbia Records External Links Official Brandi Carlile Website Official Columbia Records Website

Who knew angst could sound so good? It's no wonder why Rolling Stone pegged Brandi Carlile as one of 10 Artists to Watch in 2005. Her self-titled debut album proves that she's not just another girl with a guitar.

Carlile is a vocal powerhouse, but the success of the album is definitely a team effort. Twins Phil and Tim Hanseroth, on guitar and bass respectively, help pen lyrics and provide background harmonies. The trio has a definite knack for songwriting. "How many rules must I break? How many lies can I make? How many roads must I turn, to find me a place where the bridge hasn't burned?" laments Carlile in "What Can I Say," a lilting, folk song about the sadness, emptiness and futility of being alone. "Someday Never Comes" justifies the consequences of inaction, "I have to go away. I've got no reason to stay here. You said someday you'll change, but even a fool will tell you - someday never comes." "Tragedy," arguably the most beautifully heartbreaking song on the album, is about letting go, "So taking you with me would be like taking all your money to the grave. It does no good to anyone, especially the one you're trying to save." Simple yet profound, anyone can relate to songs, but who or what they remind the listener of is left open to interpretation. Is it an ex, your mom, your best-friend growing up, your brother, who knows? Who cares? That's part of what makes the album so engaging.

Carlile's debut is a smorgasbord of musical genres, tempos, instruments and the like. Thoughtfully constructed down to the sound dynamics, vocal emphasis, and instrument/back-up vocal cues, folk, country and rock are often blended in the same song. Upbeat, bluegrass guitarwork and Carlile's crooning quickly pegs "Closer To You" as straight-up old-school country. The track that immediately follows "Throw It All Away" begins slow and sweet with Carlile's soothing voice serenading the listener. She breaks briefly and the song takes off in another direction. Add a driving drum beat, a stronger guitar sound and the Hanseroths on harmony, and it's like an 80's hair band throwback ballad. From sweet to aggressive and back, the transitions are seamless - a technique that the band has down pat. Pleasantly unpredictable, the album holds the listener's attention span. Songs end and you're left thinking, "That's it? No more? Bummer."

Aside from solid musicianship, the other remaining constant is Carlile's powerful and captivating pipes. There is something vaguely familiar about her voice. Whether her notes are deep and resonating a la Patsy Cline, angelically floating up to the rafters like Sarah McLachlan, or revving up the listener with a multi-layered Janis Joplin-like rasp, Carlile's voice still sounds original and authentic. She may be young and hip - but she is hardly bubble-gum, cookie-cutter or manufactured. She's an old-soul and you can hear it.

If life had a soundtrack, Carlile's music fits the bill. Refreshingly honest and sincere, love, loss and longing are beautifully expressed on every track.