Brandi Carlile- Give Up The Ghost

Well, school's back, and I couldn't be more excited...........My classes are decent, I guess. Pre-Cal is going to suck, badly. I'm just ready to cruise out of the big SD and sail right on to the significantly bigger UT. But, you don't care. You are hopefully reading this for advice on music. So without further ado, I present, Brandi Carlile.

Brandi Carlile, born in Ravendale, Washington (about 50 miles from Seattle), began singing on a local country radio station at the age of 8. At 17, she learned how to play guitar after catching a glimpse of rock and roll from Elton John's Tumbleweed Connections. Brandi started working her way up the ladder, takings gigs wherever she could, and eventually began opening for bands like Dave Matthews, Indie.Arie, and Shawn Colvin. In 2005, Brandi Carlile signed with Columbia Records. She released her self-titled album in 2005, The Story (produced by T Bone Burnett) in 2007, and Give Up The Ghost (produced by Rick Rubin) in 2009. For those who don't know, that is heck-a impressive.

Brandi's voice is the central driving force behind every song she belts. Everything else is trivial; beautiful, eloquent, and genius, but trivial. She has such extreme control over her vocals, that she can captivate audiences from of all ages (her shows are known to entertain a large assortment of toddlers), and to everyones listening pleasure, she has managed to showcase all aspects of her vocal ability on this masterfully crafted 11 track album. On her senior year epiphany "That Year", Brandi pours out her feelings for a boy without realizing the harsh beauty in her words. As the song plays, I envision high school slowly reeling into the darkness before my eyes while I watch in apprehensive acceptance.

In one of the most dramatic mood shifts of all time, Brandi suddenly revs up the engine and takes her audience on a sunny road trip on brightly rolling "Caroline". With terribly catchy melodies and a full barrage of wild west piano riffs, honky tonk guitar, and imaginative storytelling, the song takes listeners and throws them into a state pure music happiness. One verse in the song takes its time weaving intricate details of the never ending touring and her love for the "stars and lights and birds" before nonchalantly declaring, "I love you best". The song rolls on to an end like a train lulling into station, always ready for another round.

Brandi's backing band is subtly phenomenal. The focus never really strays from Brandi, but there is not a song with a single musical hole to b filled; everything fits together like a jig-saw. The pieces all click together as the perfect compliment to the sultry folk Brandi lays out to the world. The album is directed towards any one in pain, of any sort. Brandi seems to be asking you to give up the ghost in your life, whatever may be holding you back from the joys of living. So, put in the album, sit back, and deal with your troubles later; just focus on a beautiful sound when you are given the chance.