A Good ol' Fashioned Album Review

Brandi Carlile has done it again--she's made another album chock-full of good songs. Her voice has a similar timbre to Neko Case, but it makes me shiver like Gillian Welch. Her songs tend to the more upbeat than either of those counterparts, however. <b>Give Up the Ghost</b> has guests from across the music world and emerges as a new favorite in my current rotation.

1. This album opens with "Looking Out". True to her usual strumming form her previous albums have led me to love, I acknowledge at the first note that she hasn't strayed from the tried and true. I am pleased. At the same time, the music has more layers and sounds more polished than her former releases. Again, I am pleased. The producers left the hooks and catches in her voice that make her voice so powerful at times, which is a great complaint of mine in a lot of modern production--unless it's your M.O. to sound injured (i.e. Bright Eyes), the rawness of the voice is smoothed out, leaving it shallow. This song isn't great, but it is good. 4.3/5

2. "Dying Day". This track has that steady sort of beat that works so well on driving mixes. The theme here is a bit cliche, but it makes for a cute little tune. A lover wanting to travel home to see their other half? Sure, I can take it for a driving tune, especially since it builds until the end. 3.5/5

3. "Pride and Joy". The mood dips down a little here and Brandi addresses another favorite theme of hers: time. This has a very <i>carpe diem</i> undertone to it, but I can dig it. I'm not sure if my rating is fair, as her slower tunes usually pick me up and hold me captive at about the 4th listen and this is all based on first impression, but I'll give it 3/5 (I'm harsh).

4. "Dreams". This is the first single to be released from the album. [[Random side note: I'm very distracted looking out the window, since my roommate is paddling around the pool in a kayak...]] The album picks back up here. You may even say it gets a little loud. The chorus really kicks off. I imagine this is a good live tune, as it begs for some good jamming. Whoa, someone made a decent choice for a single. This may get swept under the rug of some soft rock station, but I'd still be happy just to hear it on that old music listening thing they call 'the radio' that I sometimes wander across the sounds of. 4.75/5

5. "That Year". This has a neat little cadence on snare behind Brandi Carlile singing high up and dragging themes of youth across her throat. For such a young woman, she has a knack for nostalgia. The lyrics are well put together and simple, and the music itself harkens back to late nineties "panty dropper" tunes now adorning the catalogues of campfire singers. A good tune I know will grow on me, I'll give it 4.25/5 on the first passing.

6. "Caroline". I like the cyclical feel that this album has. As for this track, it's excited and contagious. It's the result of a collaboration with the great Elton John. Here is a track you can kick your heels up to. Refreshing. 5/5

7. "Before It Breaks" demands answers from the subject and attention from your ears. It's slow and pensive and delicious. 4.75/5

8. "I Will". This tune picks up an almost bluegrass feel in the guitar picking. This tune is a bit more determined than the other slow tracks on the album, but I would have liked a stronger ending. Still worth a listen. 3.5/5

9. "If There Was No You". This one is a light dedication to friendship. An appropriate tribute, and a nice wind down toward the latter part of the album. It's also a happier follow-up to "Tragedy", another song of hers on a similar theme. I'll give you my favorite version of that, too, just as a bonus. This has my heart; there aren't enough songs about friendship. 4.9/5

10. "Touching the Ground". The previous track flows right into this one. This could be my favorite track off the album, but that could also be because I don't like no drama, drama. 5/5

11. the album closes with "Oh Dear". A tune full of beautiful harmonies and a nice, swaying feel. It is an appropriate close to the album. it has an almost ilsand theme, and I liken it to a sunset. 4.9/5

As a whole, I give it a 4.5/5. I know some tracks will grow on me more, as hers always do. I also know that I have much love for Brandi and hope to see her out on tour this time. I always miss her :(