Customer Reviews

Ether-Electrified Porch Music

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard this group on MP3.com and had to get the disk! It has quickly become the favored CD in my collection.

The lyrics are inspired, light, and positive. The texture of the music has shades of They Might Be Giants, REM, Great Big Sea, and Dave Matthews Band, but the sound, that mandolin groove, it's all Carbon Leaf. I would love to hear them on the radio someday, but for now it's nice to have them as one of my secrets.

Carbon Leaf's best offering to date, Ether is a great addition to the collection of anyone who likes the Pogues, Son Volt, Waterboys, Wilco, etc. Rootsy in an Appalachian way, but from a band that still has all of its teeth, Ether features music with twang and a certain smack. Favorite tracks are Home and Ordinary Eyes.

I went to school at Lehigh University. My fraternity used to have these guys up to play parties. They are some of the most amazingly talented artists I've ever seen play. There covers wail and their original music is incredible. I highly recommend both of their CDs. If you have a chance to see Carbon Leaf live, it's definitely worth the trip. I'm waiting for the day when these guys hit it big.

The 3rd CD released by Carbon Leaf, 1999 on Constant Ivy (independent)
First of all, I love the title of this CD. On the cover between the first & second word can you see the little lightning bolt? I can just picture friends sitting on the porch, strumming and humming and all of a sudden all hell breaks loose. Yep, that the Carbon Leaf I know & love.

I love this definition of ETHER and it perfectly describes the vibe that is Carbon Leaf:
From Latin ęther ("the upper pure, bright air") Ancient Greek "upper air", "I burn, shine".
And SHINE they do.
Right from the get go, this CD is very heavy on the Mandolin and Penny Whistle. Throw in a fiddle here and there and you have a rolicking Celtic Rock Fest with a healthy dose of bluegrass!

Less `rock' than the previous releases (Meander & Shadows In the Banquet Hall), but there is enough to keep it interesting.
I initially had downloaded 2 songs from this CD, strictly from samplings, and they are still my 2 favorites, but (per one review I read) `they grow on you and make you like them'. I believe the same review refered to Barry Privett's lyrics (at least the early stuff) as `surreal word collages'. Indeed.

My first favorite is: "CLANNANHIDE" - Break out the kilt & dance along ! If you didn't know what Celtic Rock was before, let this be your definition. The opening notes are so cool so pay attention, and there is a little `foray' into something that belongs in a western movie toward the end that is so completely odd, but clever in it's 'oddness'. It doesn't even really matter what the lyrics are - it's listenable even when you don't know what they heck they are saying (which you won't the first time around).
"BLUE RIDGE LAUGHING" is a beautiful journey not only along the Blue Ridge, but through a life's ups and downs. Barry's beautiful vocals and the consistently amazing guitar work of this band transport you.
"TRAFFIC" and "JAN 9 63 Degrees" ROCK, the pop-tinged "AURORA" is infectious.
Other standouts are "American Tale", "Home" and "Kinakeet Island" (say it loud, say it proud 'We're in the Band!')

I went to school at Lehigh University. My fraternity used to have these guys up to play parties. They are some of the most amazingly talented artists I've ever seen play. There covers wail and their original music is incredible. I highly recommend both of their CDs. If you have a chance to see Carbon Leaf live, it's definitely worth the trip. I'm waiting for the day when these guys hit it big.

This album is most excellent. The harmonies, the lyrics, and the insturmentals all blend together spectacuarly. If you don't have this album - buy it now. Go go!

Carbon Leaf, great album! Wouldn't expect anything less from Randolph-Macon alumns! Recomended for anyone who likes music!