Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days
Wildly popular, while being wildly wild
Buy | Stream
Brandi Carlile is not unknown, that’s for sure. She has released 7 studio albums, won 10 Grammy’s (and been nominated for heaps more!) and a couple of Emmy’s too. All for good reason, because what an amazing musician she is! “In These Silent Days” was released in 2021 (and I think re-released a year later, with a bunch more tracks) and is an amazing journey through some emotionally charged lyricism and some high energy performing.
For me, it sits in a nice spot between country, rock and pop - story telling at the highest level. This doesn’t just come from great lyrics though, you can hear the emotion in her voice, the power that comes from the cracks, playing with her tone and a warbling vibrato that you would only expect to hear in a Puccini Opera. The first track, Right On Time, demonstrates all of this. The pauses that happen at the peak of each verse makes me hold my breath, and I feel a strong sense of relief when they move on. Not because its tense, but because it is so emotionally charged! All this in just the first 3 minutes of the album!
“In These Silent Days” takes you on a journey, which to me is a journey of love, heartbreak and strength. I personally feel like my posture gets better when I listen to this, I sit up and I feel good! Each song is a story in itself, and as is with all the best story tellers, allow you to sit in each tale and let your imagination place you there.
Broken Horses is a masterclass in high energy, powerful music. The opening notes that Brandi sings can not be done without putting everything on the line! This is my favourite song in terms of lyrics as well, it feels like a big fuck you to someone or something, and being stronger from it!
I think I’m slightly late to the party myself, but I cannot wait to hopefully see her play live one day soon. What an amazing experience that would be!