Album Review: Brandi Carlile's Bear Creek

If you plan on checking out Brandi Carlile's new album, Bear Creek, I highly recommend you go about it like I did, driving along on the weekend through back roads with the windows down and the speakers turned (way) up. It has that perfect folk-y sound that pairs great with good weather and a nice breeze (and being on your way to a BBQ doesn't hurt either, if you're able to swing it).

The lead single, "That Wasn't Me," has a bit of a gospel influence on Carlile's more traditionally folk sound, and that combination shows up a few more times on the album on tracks such as "What Did I Ever Come Here For" and "In the Morrow." Other tracks are more classic folk/Americana, with some great upbeat and more lighthearted tracks like "Keep Your Heart Young" and "Save Part of Yourself" (both of which are my personal favorites). She slows it down and gets more serious on tracks such as "Hard Way Home" and "A Promise to Keep," with the slower tracks being reminiscent of her most popular single (thus far), "The Story."

Overall, this album definitely continues Carlile's trend of delivering folk/Americana sound with great guitar sounds and lyrics. The sound is definitely perfect for listening to while kicking back outside on a summer day, like oh, maybe at Wolf Trap (with Josh Ritter also performing) this Thursday the 28th?

Top tracks:
"Save Part of Yourself"
"Keep Your Heart Young"
"100"
"Heart's Content"