Kasey Chambers- Carnival

In 2001, the album Barricades & Brickwalls shot Kasey Chambers into the mainstream pop market. Two albums later, the band released Carnival in 2006.

I won't go so far to cry "sell out", but this is very much a pop album. Much of the country music style and whiney vocals (which I really dig) are gone, replaced by a smorgasboard of influences.

One aspect that hasn't changed, though, is the recording quality. All of the instruments have great character and balance, and there is a wonderful feeling of airiness to the sound. This airiness also creates headroom, which certain songs (stay tuned) use to great effect, to create hugely powerful choruses.

For example, Sign On The Door, Nothing At All and Dangerous could well be songs by the Dixie Chicks. I don't mean to be a music snob, but the style doesn't appeal to me at all.

The opening song, Colour Of A Carnival, has a superbly engaging chorus. Perfect for waving cigarette lighters in unison at a concert! Unfortunately, the verses drift along aimlessly with annoying repetitive lyrics. And the pre-chorus just feels like it's awkwardly filling time. I guess it makes the chorus more appreciated, though...

On the other hand, the verses of The Rain are brilliant lullabyes. Humble and endearing, like much of her first album. Unfortunately, the chorus a big letdown for me, especially the awkward falsetto cameos. Perhaps if the verses of The Rain were combined with the chorus of Colour Of A Carnival, the result would be a masterpiece...

As for the "pop album" thing I mentioned before, Light Up A Candle, Railroad and Surrender all suffer from feeling like they were cobbled together by a producer, rather than being organic artistic expressions. I do like the creeping feel of Light Up A Candle's verses, and the "James Bond theme" style of Surrender, though.

I Got You Now takes on the heavier stuff and hits the nail on the head. It has fantastic energy, and good bite; making it a very good 2 minute punk-rock song. Unfortunately the song happens to go on for 3 minutes, and that last minute is flogging a dead horse.

The potential masterpiece I mentioned earlier (combining The Rain and Colour Of A Carnival) actually does exist, and it is called You Make Me Sing. The sparse verses and uplifting chorus are fantastic in their own right. And their synergy with each other makes the experience even better. Then there's the bridge, which takes the already infectious chorus and takes it a notch even higher. Fantastic.

Favourite songs

Colour Of A Carnival, The Rain, You Make Me Sing

Worthwhile?

There's a couple of great songs, but overall the album feels more like a sampling menu, rather than a proper meal. Kasey Chambers first two albums are a nice unique mix of country and pop, unfortunately this album is not.