Carry The Fire (Deluxe Version)

Delta Rae | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 15, 2012
• Release Date: June 15, 2012
• Label: Sire
• Copyright: 2012 Sire Records.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 55:51
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B0088IAWAO
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Maturing Sound, An Exciting Band June 29, 2012

By Will Pearce

Format:Audio CD

I first caught Delta Rae about two years ago when they played in a converted kid's pizza restaurant in Raleigh, NC. Since then I've watched this sextet (three siblings + three friends, with four lead vocalists) grow up vocally, compositionally, and in their stage presence. What was a pleasant, talented folk-pop band has stretched into a powerful amalgam of pop, rock, and power folk-rock, all seasoned with a Southern country soul (think James Taylor in that regard, not anything coming from Nashville).

Carry the Fire represents a new stage in Delta Rae's development as a vocal and instrumental ensemble, with even greater levels of complexity, subtlety, and power. My top tracks (in no particular order) are:

* Holding On To Good - Sung by Brittany Holljes, this power pop-rock ballad swings from tender wistfulness to the stark realities of moving on from a relationship left behind. This song demonstrates Brittany's impressive dynamic range and ability to keep her voice "pure" throughout the soft and strong passages. Don't be surprised if you catch yourself thinking about that high school, college, or summer sweetheart you once had.

* Is There Anyone Out There - Singer Ian Holljes wrote this piece with brother Eric (and all other tracks on this album, for that matter); it may be the most epically poetic song on this album. Stylistically, I'd consider this an alt-rock offering (but hard-pressed to point to any similar sounding band or song); lyrically, it's a song about lost opportunities of the past and hope for the opportunities of the future.

* Morning Comes - Long one of my Delta Rae favorites (and one I consider a signature song for their sound), this is a working man's song of struggle, determination, and a belief that the new day will bring new hope. Eric Holljes shows off his power-pop roots with his voice both soaring high and strong and settling gently into the soft passages.

* Bottom of the River - The YouTube video of this song brought the band its first widespread notice (be sure to watch it; look for the "mirror trick" at the beginning). From its beginnings as an acapella, foot-stomping, hand-clapping spiritual, BOTR has grown into a powerful folk-pop monster of an aural experience and made Brittany Holljes' voice and expressive face an online phenomenon. I'm pretty sure that I can say that you've never heard anything like it; having heard it once, you'll want to listen to it again and again.

* Country House - OK, I'm going to admit that not all of you will relate to this song as much as I do. It's a gentle folk-pop ballad and the most deeply personal song on the album, leading us through singer/writer Ian Holljes' reflections on the death of his grandfather and the nature of a life grown old alone. This song really gets to my heart every time I hear it (doubly so when I watch Ian sing it live).

* Dance In the Graveyards - High-energy hope and joy; no fearing death, here. You will want to stand up and dance with this song. Definitely the album's feel-good song (and I mean that positively), as well as a clear demonstration of Delta Rae's instrumental and vocal creativity; the harmonies, percussion, and piano work are just plain fun (if you'll accept "fun" as being a musically-accurate description).

* Unlike Any Other - This is the shortest song of the whole bunch, with perhaps the simplest theme: No one holds me like you, and that is reason enough for me to come home. Singer Liz Hopkins flows from softly tender to a powerful sense of longing; the sparse instrumentation keeps things simple, allowing Liz to invite you into her thoughts and desires. It's a song I'd like to hear Delta Rae close their shows with--it really gets me ready to turn my heart to home.

My not including the other songs in my list is not because they don't have their strong points; the list represents the tracks on which I invariably hit the "replay" button at the end. Two songs in particular (Fire and Hey, Hey, Hey) are best heard live. In the former, Brittany Holljes' physical projection is as impacting as her singing--it's literally a song that must be experienced up close and personal to be fully appreciated. The latter is the band's "audience rapport" song, where many of the lyrics are delivered with expressions and gestures that let their audience in on the secret or the joke.

All in all, an amazing first release. I'm even more impressed when I think of the songs from their concert repertoire that didn't make it onto Carry the Fire--it bodes well for Delta Rae's being able to create an equally-pleasing second release that will avoid the "sophomore slump." For now, though, I can't wait for my next chance to catch them live.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you don't have Carry the Fire - you should! June 23, 2012

By MPinaire

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

My niece went to school in St Augustine, and introduced me to Delta Rae. I fell in love with the songs available for download, and have been waiting breathlessly for a CD release.

This band is absolutely terrific, top to bottom. The songs are anthems to life, and are sung perfectly. Dance in the Graveyards is a particular favorite among all the favorites on Carry the Fire. The band members are seamless, and take turns featuring each other in the music. How many performers are that willing to share? This is an excellent example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.

I can honestly say for the first time in years that I am really excited about a band. They take me back to the music of my youth in the late 60s and early 70s, but with a flair gained from the evolution gained since those halcyon days. It's a blend of southern rock, folk, motown, blues and gospel. It's truly an American sound. It's also nice to be able to actually hear the melody and the lyrics, not have them lost in crashing chords and shouting that is supposed to pass for "singing" in so much modern music, yet still be excellent music not canned "musak" of the bubble gum sort.

I loaded the CD on my computer here at work, and I am constantly being asked "who is that band?" I am happy to share Delta Rae with them.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I love "Bottom of the River" December 2, 2012

By That WendyGirl

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I saw the music video for "Bottom of the River" on VH1 and immediately had to have the song. I downloaded the whole album, but overall, I wasn't super impressed. "Bottom of the River" holds up to repeat listenings, but I found the rest of the album lacking the same fire and emotion. I'd be interested to see what they do next.