Album Reviews: No Justice, Keith Bryant, and Mary Chapin Carpenter
Three more album reviews from releases this past Tuesday. Three different styles, two good, one not so much.
No Justice hails from Stillwater, OK and made quite a splash in the Red Dirt music scene when their debut album hit about this time last year. They recently released (Tuesday) their sophomore effort titled Far From Everything. Again this isn’t soley a country album, but has country roots, a unique sound, and fantastic lyrics. The album has a fairly even, mellowed sound throughout until the ninth track, “Self-Expression,” in which they switch to a predominantly rock tonality. Afterwards they return to the recurring mellow sound of the album in “Shine A Light” and the final track, “Mexican Morning.” After a couple of listens I can say that I actually enjoyed almost every track on the album.
I’ve admittedly never heard mention of Keith Bryant, but last Tuesday he released his fifth CD project, Live It Slow. The album starts off with the up tempo rock/pop song “Never Too Old” and personifies the watered down pop sound that country music has become. Bryant has strong vocals, but his performances are totally forgettable. If he were a contestant on American Idol Simon Cowell would say something to the effect of “there’s nothing to remember, you’re just like this thing that sings and then two singers later, I’m going to forget you” (which Simon has actually said before, albeit it wasn’t about Keith Bryant). Nothing stands out. His style is almost reminiscent of Collin Raye, only Raye does a much better job. The last track was the stand out song on the album for me, “She Danced,” and probably the only one I’d listen to over again.
The latest from Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Calling, is another well rounded album full of superb lyrics bound to cause a little controversy. Carpenter’s voice on the first track, from which the album borrows it’s name, has an almost somber feel that lingers throughout the album, briefly pausing for tunes like “We’re All Right” (the most radio friendly) and “Your Life Story,” with a faster, more upbeat melody. “Twilight” brings the somber feeling back as the music takes a backseat as Carpenter sells the song with her vocals.
It’ll be hard to truly appreciate the album while multitasking since the lyrics almost blur, one blink and you might miss something special. “Houston” has the potential to evoke the most emotion with the opening lyrics painting the images of a family’s plight from Hurricane Katrina to Houston. “Mama’s got her baby sleeping in a grocery cart / Daddy’s eyes are hazy wondering where they are.” In the most controversial track, “On With the Song,” Carpenter lets President Bush have it and gives credit to those who stand their ground. It will definitely alienate some listeners, but one gets the impression that Carpenter could care less.
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March 9, 2007 at 8:43 pm Permalink
(Keith Bryant Review)- You are obviously a traditional country music fan and that is great, but I hate to see you discount the efforts of other non traditional country music projects just because it isn’t your particular preffered taste. I bought the album this week and happen to love it! If you noticed, these songs were written by the top songriters in country music today. Where the stylings of these songs may not be to your liking, like it or not, that is what sells in the country marketplace today, and these type of songs are what you hear on the radio. In my opinion, I think this is a great album, featuring some really good music, music for today’s country music listener. We do, however, agree on one thing, “She Danced” is a great song!
March 9, 2007 at 8:56 pm Permalink
Hey Scott, thanks for your input. I guess it is hard for me to be unbiased when I don’t like the style of music he’s singing; which probably weighted his rating down a little for me. Obviously some people are enjoying his music though, and I appreciate you sharing your opinion.
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