Album Review
Kasey Chambers
Barricades & Brickwalls
Warner Bros. Records
Purchase The Album
Kasey Chambers is good. She's damn good.
The Australian alt-country singer made some noise with her debut release The Captain in 1999 which received all kinds of critical acclaim. Now she's back with Barricades & Brickwalls which proves to be an impressive romp through the territory when country and rock meet.
The debut single from the record "Not Pretty Enough" is an absolutely stunning ballad where Kasey pleads for answers to why she continues to be ignored by the one she wants to be with. The track is a winner and should be on the top of the country charts around the country. Kasey's voice is a unique instrument which she has complete control over. Pull out the last little bit of feeling from every line in a song. "A Million Tears" is another top notch ballad which sports and impressive vocal display. These songs are more emotional and more striking than anything coming out of Nashville.
She then proceeds to sing in a near yodel and tell a man who did her wrong to kiss her ass in "A Little Bit Of Lonesome". It's the kind of attitude that you just don't see in female country artists in the states. Then she proceeds to pull out the electric guitars and rock her way through "Crossfire" with help from The Living End (think of them as Australia's answer to the Offspring) on guitar. The track is heavy and ultimately addicting. On the title track Kasey issues a stern warning to a potential boyfriend that by the end of the night he's going to be by her side and you don't dare doubt her.
Kasey Chambers has come into her own on Barricades & Brickwalls. It's a gutsy blend of country, rock and folk and it doesn't miss. Every song on the record is worth multiple listens. You won't soon be able to get this album out of your head. It's early in the year but when the time comes around for the short list of "best of" for 2002 you can bet this album will be on it.
Album Review by Jeff Krasky
The WOC Rating Scale |
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The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection. This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level. This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there. A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy. This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark. |