Brandi Carlile - Bear Creek

I have been a fan of Brandi Carlile since I saw her open for Train in 2006. Carlile was able to grab my attention and keep it. She has amazing songs, an amazing voice, and amazing stage presence. In 2006 she only had one album out and I bought it and listened to it like crazy. Last year Carlile released her fourth album, Bear Creek, and I love it just as much as he first album.

Bear Creek has more of a country feel to it, but more of nod to classic country rather then what passes for country nowadays. It also sound a bit more reminiscent to her first album with flecks of the second and third thrown in. Bear Creek is pretty stripped down and more raw and it feels like Carlile is rediscovering her roots and I love every second of it.

I have always been a fan of Brandi Carlile’s vocal style, she has a strong voice and she really knows how to utilize in terms of her music. Knowing when to sing full out and when to be more on the quiet side is something that Carlile nails repeatedly and it never fails to enhance the emotion that she is trying to convey in her songs. Bear Creek also has some really great harmonizing and vocal layering that adds depth to the vocals and the song.

Brandi Carlile has always been able to write great lyrics and she does not disappoint on Bear Creek. The lyrics are some of Carlile’s best and they don’t fail to make you think and feel the way that well-written lyrics should.  I love the way that Carlile’s lyrics compliment the music and vise versa. There aren’t many songwriters that are able to write music and lyrics that are so well suited for each other, but Carlile is consistently good at doing just that.

So, check out Brandi Carlile and see what I am talking about! Here is favourite song off of Bear Creek Hard Way Home.

Counting Airplanes

When I was in my second year of university I had a widow that faced west in my dorm room, I could see the airplanes flying by every few minutes. I remember days when, in between classes, I would lay on my bed with my head at the foot of my bed and watch the planes. I have always had a thing for airplanes, not flying on them, but watching them fly past. I guess it was because it was always something that meant excitement and new beginnings for me.

Where I grew up you never saw an airplane taking off in the distance, there would the occasional jet way over head, but it never was the same thing. I know that the first time I visited the city I was a kid, we went and saw a Blue Jays game, but I don’t really remember much about that trip other then the baseball game. When I was in high school I started to go to the city on class trips, and I remember that the first thing that always made me feel like I was in the city was the vision of planes taking off out of the big bus windows.

The first time that I fell in love with city was when I was 16. I got a ticket to see The Who for my birthday and I traveled down to the city with my Dad and my brother. I remember seeing the planes flying overhead as we first entered into the outskirts of the city. I remember looking at the tall the buildings as we made our way in the core of downtown and feeling awe. I knew where I really wanted to be.

“When you’re up between the new skyline, the city lights and the warm sunshine, it’s a long way down. When you can count on one hand what you love and you can count on who you love to help you on your long way down. And you end up counting airplanes, trying to keep up with the changes, and I don’t want to be just anybody. So, don’t try to figure me out, I won’t try to figure you out, I don’t want to be some average anybody”. - Counting Airplanes by Train.

Counting Airplanes came out when I was 16 and because of my fascination with planes I instantly loved the thought of watching airplanes while you are trying to figure out your life. After I turned 16 I experienced a lot of changes and this song just hit home for me. I loved the idea that no matter what changes you were going through in life there were always things you could count on, like airplanes flying past your window.

I moved into my apartment in September and two weeks later I lost my job. I took it really hard, but one day, as I was opening my blind, I noticed something in the distance. It was an airplane taking off. I’m still trying to figure everything out, but at least until I do I can count airplanes.

Incase you wanted to take a listen to Counting Airplanes...Here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTBbreab9Q8&feature=related