CORPORATE LINE: Kasey Chambers’ fourth solo album, Carnival, marks the singer-songwriter’s most contemporary, edgy and rocking album to date. This Carnival is worth the price of admission.
THE GOOD:
“Colour Of A Carnival” – As confusing as the song is for a fan of Kasey Chambers its still an interesting and lovely song. It just doesn’t sound like Kasey Chambers.
“Hard Road” – Why has it taken five songs to get into Chambers and her soul? “There Is Blood In The Kitchen” – Her voice is unmistakable. Welcome back—even though we could have lived without Bernard Fanning.
“Nothing At All” – A shamelessly beautiful ballad.
“Dangerous” – As shameless as the previous ballad may have been—“Dangerous” is much better and far more beautiful. It is easily my favorite track on the album.
“Railroad” – This is another song that doesn’t have anything more than a nice folk track that is instantly catchy. Chambers has the knack of writing great songs that hook you in.
“You Make Me Sing” – This is a funky song that showcases Kasey’s voice in a different style. It’s almost country but with just enough rock ‘n’ roll and blues that it’s not possible to categorize. It’s odd how some of the best songs come late on the record.
THE AVERAGE:
“The Rain” – This song has me on the fence wondering if I really loved the song or was simply puzzled by it. It seems too simple to be Kasey Chambers. There are moments where its hard to listen to her voice as its too Top 40. And then there are moments where I’m singing along and find myself attached to the hook.
“Sign On The Door” – This moves back to the middle between pop and country and Chambers voice of old. And yet her voice doesn’t sound the same. There occasionally glimpses of that voice fans love and yet it doesn’t really seem the same.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: Kasey Chambers seems to have changed her entire musical style. She went from being the country singer with a gritty voice to a folk singer with a sweet sound with a tinge of her old voice. It would be as if Ani DiFranco started singing Top 40 songs. There doesn’t seem to be an answer other than Kasey has a son—but even then you would think it would add to her fresh outlook on life. Perhaps life is so much better and happier that she doesn’t need to give us that gritty side. Either way, Carnival is a mystery and harder to fall in love with than any Kasey Chambers album before. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t good.
+ Rae Gun
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