Customer Reviews

The Age of Possibility

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After listening to Carrie Newcomer's new CD, "The Age of Possibility," for the very first time, I knew that I liked it, but wasn't quite sure what to think. It's taken several listenings for the album to have its full effect. Of all Carrie's albums, this one has an abundance of beautifully- produced songs with complex arrangements. It's easy to get caught up in the rhythm and melody of these songs. But like any well-crafted work of art, these songs yield more and more through repeated listening. The lyrics shimmer through the sound - lines that leap out to catch your attention and cause reflection. The opening track, "When It's Gone It's Gone," ponders how our actions become tomorrow's history, and like those who have come before us who have touched our lives, we have a chance to leave a positive mark: "When it's gone, it's gone/ But the echoes just go on and on and on/ We send it out like our breath/ And somebody takes it in, somebody takes it in/ Someone"

"Tornado Alley," which is musically quite similar to "Take it Around Again" (from "My True Name") addresses a similiar theme of taking chances in an unstable and unpredictable world. Carrie once introduced this song in concert by posing the question of why anyone would live in a place where disaster can suddenly drop out of the sky. The tornadoes of the Midwest become a metaphor for everything in our life that is unpredictable; still, we choose to go forward with our lives despite the danger around us.

My favorite song on this album that has not previously appeared on her concert album, "Bare to the Bone," is "Threads," a song inspired by Carol Shields' "The Stone Diaries." As Carrie explains in the liner notes, it is a song about connections. The melody is as textured and rich a tapestry as the threads of friendship that Carrie recounts in the song.

"Sparrow," "Bare to the Bone," "Just Like Downtown," and "Anything Like Wings," spare and lovely on her concert album, are enhanced by their arrangements on "Age of Possibility." The crisp interlacing of the piano and guitar on "Bare to the Bone" are like a fine setting of a jewel- showing the beauty of Carrie's lyrics without overpowering them.

"Sparrow" is possibly the best song Carrie has ever written. It is almost prayer-like in its language, though it speaks of human love: "I have searched all the wise and the unwise places/ I have known the price of passion/ And what solitude can buy/ But it was you I was looking for in all those faces/ Always you I was hoping for/ When I closed my eyes."

The only disappointment on this album is "It's Not Okay." It's not a bad song, it just seems to be somewhat muddled in its direction. It's hard to figure out what has happened to trigger the ranting in the song, and the lyrics lack the originality of most of Carrie's work. But there is so much good material on this album, it does not take away from the whole.

Altogether, this is an excellent album. Carrie Newcomer's generosity (both literal and spiritual- she donates a portion of her proceeds to worthy causes), warmth, and wisdom, comes through clear in this album. In the final track of the album, "This Too Will Pass," Carrie sings reassuringly: "We're more tender than some would believe/ And we still find it hard to ask for what we need."

I find myself returning again and again to Carrie's music, for inspiration, and for reassurance. Carrie's voice is a comfort, and through her words and music, she gives us, her listeners, the understanding and beauty that we all need.

On this CD, With its soulful blend of pop, rock, and folk, Carrie Newcomer presents a collection of songs designed to mine the deeper places of the heart. These are songs that say time and time again that the ability to know love involves allowing yourself to become vulnerable - to surrender and accept what love has to offer without pretense. These are songs that say that while the journey through life may be hard and full of rocky places it is still worthwhile and that love is worth knowing.

"Love is Wide" reminds us that truly loving someone as your soulmate means accepting them for who they really are - for "what's smooth, ragged and raw", and that love also means that you have nothing to hide. In "Threads" Newcomer sings of how the loved ones of today and yesterday bind us together with threads that keep us together through all of the hurts and hardships life has to offer and that it is this togetherness that ultimately brings us joy. "Just like Downtown" speaks about accepting the things about yourself that you cannot change.

Carrie Newcomer is a storyteller who's gospel of hope invites you in to stay for the duration resulting in music that should have a wide appeal to those who appreciate thoughtfulness and grace in the music they listen to.

I've been a fan of Carrie's for going-on 7 years now and love all of her CDs. However, I think this is the best one yet--a great set of songs with intelligent lyrics and wonderful music. I own in the neighborhood of 400 CDs, and this might be my favorite of all of them. The Amazon review is right on target--I can't imagine that anyone wouldn't love this CD. Highest recommendation!

Currently one of my most played CDs. I was disappointed by My True Name and initially felt this one was average but it just keeps getting better. Carrie's voice is rich and expressive, instrumentally the playing is strong and tasteful and the song arrangements are superb. Some of the songs are her strongest ever - the uptempo Tornado Alley, All I Know, When It's Gone and the brilliant Just Like Downtown are great band tracks while the quieter ballads, Bare to the Bone, This Too Will Pass, Sparrow and my favourite, Thread are gorgeous. Some nice new sounds - the vibes on Seven Dreams are excellent. If I have any criticism, I would have liked a few more lead melody instruments standing out - fiddle, accordion, mandolin (as feature on Visions and Dreams) and I still think she needs to work on lyrics - sometimes they're too self indulgent. I would give this 4 and a half stars if that was possible. It is an excellent collection.

"When it's gone, it's gone, but the echoes just go on and on," sings Carrie Newcomer on the first track of her AGE OF POSSIBILITY album. Aside from being a terrific song to kick off the CD, this quote says it all about Carrie's music. Long after the last track plays, the album's powerful songs still "echo" through the listener's mind.

In AGE OF POSSIBILITY, Carrie clearly establishes herself as a talented songwriter and musician. With her unique music combining folk, country, rock, and pop, rich, soulful voice, and powerful lyrics, she creates a diverse style rarely seen on the music scene today. Each song on this album is wonderful--from the first track, the music seems to take hold of you and gradually pull you in until all you can do is sit and listen. The opening cut "When It's Gone It's Gone," as well as the next track "Tornado Alley," contain hypnotic lyrics and music that leave the listener hypnotized, while more upbeat songs like "Love Is Wide" and "All I Know" contribute to the variety of music on the album. Carrie's inspirational, poetic lyrics on songs such as "Threads" and "This Too Shall Pass" add a personal, creative flair. My personal favorite, however, is "Bare To the Bone" (track #6), a song that sums up almost perfectly the experiences I have had over the last few years.

Whether you are a fan of folk, rock, or country, AGE OF POSSIBILITY is just the CD for you. There is something for everyone on it and I guaranteee you will not be disappointed. I recommend this album to anyone who just enjoys listening to music!

I received a promotional 3 track cd sampler of "The Age Of Possibilty," through my work... I normaly don't put much stock in newer artists because of what we're given to choose from in music these days. I new absolutely nothing about Carrie, but I gave it a chance, and I'm so glad I did. I was very pleased w/ the three selectoions I found on the disc, "When It's Gone, It's Gone", the first song on the sampler is a very soothing, not too slow, not too fast, tune that is quite catchy... as the unsuspecting listener, I found myself taping my foot along to it. "Threads," a slow number, takes a touching reflective lyric and tugs at the heart strings. "The Moon Over Tucson," is another slow number, though not as slow as "Threads," Carrie seems to take you by the hand on this one and walks you through this song. Carrie Newcomer has a beautiful voice,(lower in register than some women, and a bit haunting), and seems to have the abilty to pull the emotions out from her listeners w/out effoert... and her voice bears a striking resemblence to another favorite of mine... Kathy Matea, and though I wouldn't exactly call Carrie country... she's close. The instrumentation is also excellent... a bit of a lazy, summer day feel to the whole thing, and w/ great arrangements and Carrie's inviting, (and again haunting voice), pulling the whole thing together beautifully. If you like good music, good songs, and good singing, (in the vein of Kathy Matea), buy "The Age Of Possibility" a.s.a.p.! I know I'll be gettin' all the past ones as well.

p.s. If Carrie every reads these reviews... I'm glad I took a chance and had my ears open the day I got this... I'll be buyin' all your work from here on out! ...Let the wind blow like horses running wild across the sky... good on you Carrie!

cheers - Ian Carlos Salazar.

Carrie Newcomer is among a small handful of musicians I recommend to friends and my radio listeners without qualification. She is superb and runs the gamut from catchy folk-rock to quiet introspection. Her songs are often about the heart, the things we do or fail to do, the mistakes we've made and the opportunity for healing.

One week, a few years ago, I caught two shows in a row. First Ani DiFranco in a jammed civic center. It was okay, but not impressive (and, yes, I'm an Ani fan). The following night I was one of a dozen folks at a small club to see Newcomer. She was breathtaking. By dint of vocalization, delivery, musicianship and style the two crowds ought to have been reversed. Recordings don't do justice to Newcomer's vocal range in live performance, there are few voices in pop music that are her equal. But, between shows, we'll have to make do with CDs. This one's a keeper.

Carrie's albums are never-fail great, but I admit that I like her newer work more.

This is probably my favortie album of Carrie's. I do love them all and think they are all great; this is my favorite. When I need a big time pick-me-up on my way to or from work this is the one that goes in to the CD player. The song "Bare The Bone" speaks to my heart and I can not begin to explain it any further in writing... It, however, is not the only great song on the album and all are worthy of standing on their own. A Must Buy for all music lovers!!