the 31 best of 2007 – 18: Brandi Carlile – The Story

Propelled by a powerful, rock infused cover that identifies the record’s namesake, The Story,by Brandi Carlile, represents itself as what it truly is: a magnificently orchestrated album. Comparison to the Indigo Girls is unavoidable, so it’s best to get it out of the way right away. That similarity is even present on the record, where Brandi teams up with them on the song Canonball. However, despite the strong similarities, The Story is a great indication that Brandi definitely can carry herself nicely as a solo artist. Brandi brings an impassioned performance on The Story, that reverberates right through you every time her voice cracks at the height of her song’s emotion. There is no doubt, after listening to Brandi perform on this record, that she is passionate about the music she is making; it is clear and refreshing to hear in her performance.

One of the things that I like best about Brandi’s record, is that it brings a fresh rock, and occasionally, a country-western quality to that folk-driven rock sound that I love so much. She takes influences from the Indigo Girls (again, the comparison is not only unavoidable, but I think it works to her advantage), and layers on electric guitars and uses her voice as perhaps the most important instrument in her arsenal. Her voice is powerful, and full of passion. It has a smoky quality, like that of Bonnie Raitt, and even though this isn’t a live recording, you really can get the feeling that you are truly there seeing her perform right in front of you.

If you are a fan of folk-pop-rock, and if you are a fan of the Indigo Girls, you will LOVE Brandi Carlile; in fact, I think that is why I love her so much (I am a huge fan of the Indigo Girls). However, don’t write her off as a clone, it isn’t that she “copy’s” them, as much as she finds a corner of the genre where she works in her own intricacies; which really serve to make it her own. With her singular voice, and the layers in her sound, she carves out a little niche of her own, and even brings some surprises along for the ride. On one song in particular, Have You Ever, she harnesses a strong feeling of the Shins, and creates something beautiful. Another welcome surprise, is when she channels Dolly Parton to serenade you on Josephine, and the result is just as beautiful.

Overall, this is a fantastic album, and one that I have enjoyed getting to know this year. For whatever reason, this CD failed to break through to the top of my list, perhaps because of the feeling that the record starts to fade out a little after the halfway mark; but the album is still wonderful throughout.

Favorites from The Story:
Have You Ever
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/bc-haveyouever.mp3]
Turpentine
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/bc-turpentine.mp3]
Josephine
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/bc-josephine.mp3]
Canonball, and The Story (links are for youtube action).

Rating: