Adam Salsman [dot] com

You know, I’m starting to think I start off too many of these the same way, but…

Sean’s been speaking of Kasey Chambers for a few years, but I’ve had so many things I’ve wanted to listen to, I seem to keep forgetting about her. Enter Large Hearted Boy. Each week he digs out the highlights of CD and DVD releases, and I noticed Kasey in the list. So, of course, I jumped and downloaded it, and I have to say that I am glad I did. It’s no Top10 album, mind you, but it’s enjoyable and has solid replay value.

The album (I know nothing of the rest of Kasey’s catalog) straddles that pop-country line that I may have mentioned I don’t enjoy. I’d like to amend that statement to “I don’t enjoy unimaginative pop-country.”

As most albums seem to these days, Carnival comes in just over 45 minutes with a total of 12 tracks. Chambers, at least on this disc, seems to channels a country-ish, more soulful version of another beloved songstress, Lisa Loeb. And, believe it or not, that’s a pretty good thing.

The lead of track, Colour of a Carnival, I bounce between enjoying and being turned off by the chorus lyric that just goes “Around and Around and Around and Around;” I get the need for the lyric in the song, but it just takes me out of the song. The Rain is a pretty average tune, but whips out the slide guitar in the background. That alone gives it a thumbs up from me. Railroad has a certain sinister sound to it that drew me right in and has been put on repeat on the ol’ ipod. You Make Me Sing has a sultry undertone, with vocals just one or two steps away from Jazzy/Smokey vocals.

In the end: It’s a solid album, definitely one of the better ones of Ought Six. Being unfamiliar with the rest of her catalog, I can only say that Carnival has a little something from everyone and is worth at least one listen.

On the Web: These reviews, and this whole part, would be useless without The Hype Machine.

Technorati Tagged: Kasey Chambers | Country | 2006

I love Michelle Branch. Her music, her varied and random TV appearances (including a favourite, Buffy, The Vampire Slayer), and how beautiful she is. So, it’s not a huge leap for me to follow her to this pop-country side project, even if the whole “pop-country” genre hurts my soul.

Michelle Branch, joined by Jessica Harp, combine to form the Wreckers. Two beautiful woman, who are clearly very talented. And yet, the combination brings a very average album. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t bad, despite it’s pop-country feel. But, really, the Wreckers are like the Battle of the Network Stars: Individually, talented; Together, bland.

The disc, Stand Still, Look Pretty, barely fills have a CD, sliding in just under 45 minutes, spread across 12 tracks. The ladies’ voices play well together, but I can’t help but think they would do better somewhere without that country twang.

Leave the Pieces, the lead off track, does feature a violin (in that country feel) which I enjoy, and it does a good job of starting the album off; Stand Still, Look Pretty, ye olde title track, may actually be the best on the disc, with a very simplistic construction; I listen to Rain, and i feel there’s this amazing jazzy/bluesy song hidden just beneath the surface; and Crazy People, while not particularly memorable, was the only track left and I needed one more to mention.

In the end: Michelle Branch completists, New Country fans, and anyone willing to take a leap will enjoy this. I’m not saying avoid it, but there are better albums that came out this summer. Give them a chance.

On the web: I’m at a loss to find anything on the mighty interwebs to offer for this band. Perhaps that’s a sign?

Technorati Tagged: Michelle Branch | The Wreckers | Country | 2006