Album Review
Kasey Chambers
Carnival
Warner Bros. Records
Purchase The Album
Kasey Chambers possesses one of the most haunting voices in alternative country music. It’s hard to categorize Kasey’s music. The music is a little country, a little rock and roll, a little pop, and a little folk but regardless of what you call it it’s always intriguing. Kasey writes top notch, distinct songs and then sings the hell out of them. She has one thing that a lot of mainstream artists don’t; when you hear a Kasey Chambers song you know it’s a Kasey Chambers song and couldn’t possibly be performed by anyone else. Her newest release Carnival is another smashing success to add to her catalog.
Kasey always covers a lot of musical ground with each release but Carnival sets a new standard in this regard. The lead off single “Nothing At All” is classic Kasey music. It’s a catch mid-paced tune driven by rambling, busy verses and a soaring chorus. You won’t be able to get it out of your head. The funky, soulful “You Make Me Sing” is another well written winner. “Sign On The Door” is another take on the classic country tale of finally finding your true love but it’s catchy and has a unique sound that helps it stand out (“I got a love that’s as big as a raging storm/I got walls coming down that I don’t need no more. I got a sign on the door that says lonely don’t live here anymore”).The rip roaring rock of “I Got You Now” serves as a back drop for Kasey singing about getting her man (“You better hide you conscience under the bed/You ain’t gonna get me out of your head/You think you slipped through the cracks somehow/But I got you now”). The song ends in roaring fashion with fuzzy guitars blaring and Kasey belting out the final line. The song will no doubt make traditional country fans toes curl but it’s a nice curveball change of pace right in the middle of the album.
The duet “Hard Road” which features Bernard Fanning really lets Kasey show off her voice and Bernard does a great job of keeping up with her. Country music has a habit of turning out generic duets so this one is a refreshing break from the sappiness of the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill style duets. The title track “Colour of a Carnival” is one of the albums best tracks. It almost sounds like something you might hear Jewel sing and showcases some of Kasey’s more folk pop leanings. “Dangerous” is a stunning ballad about a relationship in ruins or is it really? (“I am wreckage/I am careless/I am breaking/You are fearless/You’re the saviour/We are dangerous no more”). The song captures that helpless, lost, and unsure feeling that happens at that point in time.
Kasey Chambers is truly a special artist. She is a songwriter who is capable of speaking volumes with just a few words, a talent not all songwriters have. She might only be on the fourth album of her solo career but each one of them has been exceptional and Carnival is no different. There simply isn’t a single bad track on this album. If you’re a music fan who likes albums that push the boundaries and are loaded with all kinds of different sounds then Carnival is right up your alley. This is a diverse, challenging record and hands down one of the best of the year.
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. |