Customer Reviews

Indian Summer

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While not quite as universally strong as their previous album, "Echo Echo" (Download it free from Amazon, you'll like it enough to want to buy it), "Indian Summer" is another extremely strong album from these guys from Virginia. The first few songs on this album, "Life Less Ordinary", and "What about Everything", along with others "Grey Sky Eyes" and "Let Your Troubles Go By" are winners that truly deserve to get the radio airplay to rise above the usual drivel you hear on radio today.

Carbon Leaf is one of the few bands I've heard in the last few years that truly has a new and unique sound. Combining great musicians (the guitar player is phenomenal to watch in concert, at no point do his fingers leave his hands), interesting sets of instruments, and a variety of influences (Celtic, Bluegrass, Country and good old fashioned rock-n-roll), they create a depth and richness of sound that few groups are able to get near.

This album, along with the others in their catalog, has literally been in my player non-stop recently. Check them out. Download their free albums, buy the others. Check out their websites. You won't be sorry.

Indian Summer by Carbon Leaf is one of the most refreshing and enjoyable albums I've come across in recent years. Much of what passes for popular music these days doesn't do much for me but these folks obviously love what they're doing and are making the most of their opportunity to make a name for themselves and rise above the current breed of "stare at their shoes and moan" bands. Excellent musicianship combined with catchy arrangements and interesting lyrics make for an extra fine album. Dare I say...intelligent acoustic poprock music? Yes - I only wish it was available in SACD or DVD-A format.

I am always looking for new music to listen to. I grew up with the Beatles and the Stones, but one has to move on. Unfortunately, I am surrounded by the garbage that my daughter listens to (JLo, Janet Jackson and the like), so I always crave new talent. I have relied on recommendations of friends and for awhile was listening to female vocalists, such as Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux, both of whom are wonderful in their own genres. Recently, when I asked a friend about a good rock and roll group, he suggested Carbon Leaf. Immediately when I heard this album, I was reminded of R.E.M. and in particular, the voice and lyrics of Michael Stipe. However, after playing this album several times, I realized that Carbon Leaf has their own unique style; their songs are original and thought provoking, and they are remarkable musicians who never disappoint. What makes this album even more enjoyable is that the recording is so clear, well imaged and full of detail. A must hear.

I do not pretend to be an expert music critic. I do, however, have a genuine and well-versed love for Rock 'n Roll. Especially when it is original. And, moreover, when it is clearly delivered "from the heart". I have just described "Indian Summer", the latest effort from Carbon Leaf. This is simply a perfect piece of popular music work. Effortless in it's dispatch. Intricate in it's rhythms and in it's achingly touching lyrical messages. My addiction to this stunning album is a healthy one. Not a lot of bands inspire. This one does. "Raise The Roof" will remind you of how joyous living a life should be. The final three songs on the CD, "Let Your Troubles Roll By", "When I'm Alone" and "The Sea" are a Tour De Force finale which compel a return to the start and another listen to this wondrous disc straight through again and again. One interpretation of "The Sea" is that drug addiction ain't fun. It's just that I've never heard this ages-old message presented in such a hauntingly beautiful fashion. But, then again, I've never heard a lot of things offered forth from Carbon Leaf. One last thing: Do yourself a favor and catch these guys live. I have. Twice. You will lose yourself. And I assure you that you'll find you're in a better place.

In today's popular music scene, what's old is new. With the rise of bands like the Strokes, the White Stripes, the Killers, Interpol, and many others, going with a "retro" sound is a ticket to success. Perhaps this is the thing to which Carbon Leaf can best attribute their recent success, their sound recalling the arty alternative "college rock" sound of the mid-`90s.

However, if this hard-working Richmond, Virginia-based band sounds like a blast from the past, it's because they actually are from the past. After ten years of independent releases and an endless struggle for success, Carbon Leaf have finally made their long-sought-after breakthrough with their major-label debut "Indian Summer".

This album is full of catchy, well-written tunes that will make you nostalgic for the '90s. "Life Less Ordinary", the lead single that the band recently performed on the "Dr. Phil" show, is an upbeat melodic rocker that is sure to stick in your head. "When I'm Alone" and "Grey Sky Eyes" showcase the softer, moodier side of the band with anguished acoustic melodies; "Paloma" is a bit more eclectic, with an odd but infectious bassline, and touches of Celtic and tribal music that bring Rusted Root to mind. "One Prairie Outpost" is another acoustic track, this time with a more up-tempo, slightly country-flavored melody. "What About Everything" is a bit more mid-tempo, with quirky lyrics and one of the best choruses of the album. The closing track, "The Sea", is an epic ballad, clocking in at over 7 minutes, bringing it all home in true alt-rock fashion.

The band does a fairly decent job of keeping their music interesting, with layered instrumentation, a good mix of acoustic and electric guitars, and influence from a wide variety of genres. Frontman Terry Clark is an accomplished singer and songwriter, with a very distinctive and appealing voice. However, the album does cross over into somewhat drab territory at times. "This Is My Song", while boasting a nice folky melody here and there, has a somewhat dry vocal delivery, making the song largely forgettable on the whole. "Raise the Roof" repeats vocal lines way too many times, and goes on for a bit too long, resulting in a tedious and tiresome listen.

But hey, when they're good, they're great. The album is full of catchy and creative melodies, even if they aren't present in every single song. "Indian Summer" is not a world-changing masterpiece, but for those who miss the glory days of artists like Dave Matthews, Counting Crows, and the aforementioned Rusted Root, this album will bring back fond memories.

Carbon Leaf has been around for over ten years, but this, their debut major-label album, has brought them national notoriety, well after their 2002 Coca-Cola New Music Award performance on the AMA's with "The Boxer." Anyway, these guys are great.
Barry Privett, the lead singer and songwriter, rocks the mic and the tinwhistle, with catchy and unforgettable lyrics.
Terry Clark, rhythm guitarist, backs up the band with sizzling chords. You really want to hear this man play on "One Prairie Outpost."
Carter Gravatt, "The String Guy," as I like to call him, not only burns up the acoustic and electric guitars, but breathes life into his mandolin. Hear his fingers fly on tracks like "This is My Song!" and "Life Less Ordinary," just for starters.
Jordan Medas, bassist, is the soul of the music on his electric and uprights. "Paloma" really shows his licks well.
Scott Milstead is the man behind the drums...literally. A wonderful percussionist, Scott stays hidden during the live shows, but rocks the audience and adds the backbone of all of Carbon Leaf's music.
This CD introduced me to Carbon Leaf, but since I have listened to it, I've seen these guys in concert six times, met them repeatedly (they are amazing in person and love their fans!), and bought all of their other CDs.

The music can be summarized as moving, emotional, folk rock with the slightest hint of the Celtic and bluegrass flavor that could be found in their earlier music.

Rock on, CL! :)

This past Labor Day I happened to be working the Art and Soul Festival in Oakland and heard Carbon Leaf for the first time.I was hooked! Their music really had me feeling pretty good. I purchased Indian Summer, at the show and had the pleasure of meeting Barry Previtt. Their music is so down to earth and all of the tunes on this CD really rock. I enjoy the various blends of music from Celtic and Blues to Rock. I play this CD every chance I get and I truly "Let My Troubles Go By" Needless to say I am a 48 year old Mom of a 20 year old and a 13 year old and we all finally agree on one thing Carbon Leaf.

I first heard of Carbon Leaf when I was living in Virginia - a DC radio station pumped "The Boxer" pretty hard. I thought they were OK, got the album and was quite pleased (lots to like on that "Echo Echo" album, esp. Desperation Song, plus others... it just didn't blow me away).

Fast forward to "Indian Summer." WOW! These guys have really found themselves. They've preserved their Celtic roots while melding further into the "rock" genre. Fantastic! The majority of the songs on "Indian Summer" are true gems. This is an album that I keep coming back to every few months. Great guitars, strong vocals - these guys actually craft the songs, not just play them.

As a side note; there are an eery number of parralels between this album and "GO" by Vertical Horizon. It's my opinion that if you like this album, you'll like "Go" and vice-versa. In addition, my favorite songs from each album are very nearly the same track numbers... and a few track numbers share songs that are strangely similar to each other between the albums. It's kinda creepy in a way.

Do buy this album - support artists of this caliber! You will get much enjoyment from it, I promise. ...and if you're new to Carbon Leaf and like their Celtic flavor, backpedal to their Echo Echo album - you're sure to find some stuff there you like as well.

I live and work in the metro Detroit area, where we are fortunate enough to have one the few NPR stations that programs music. Carbon Leaf was introduced to me via one of that station's programs. "Life Less Ordinary" reached into my headphones at work, and gave me chills. The lyrics were fresh, but intensely personal. My fiance and I are voracious music collectors/listeners/lovers, and new discoveries are prized, so I immediately had to have this CD. The whole CD is gorgeously produced, and the musicianship is outstanding. You hear the passion in every phrase sung, and every note played. The bassist in particular, Jordan Medas, has the most smoothly fluid playing style I've ever heard. He doesn't just support the melody lines, he is creating beautiful counter-melodies that take these songs to another dimension. You definately hear the Celtic influence in the tight vocal harmonies, led by Terry Clark, and the light-handed touch of mandolin and bouzouki laced through by Carter Gravatt. If this is what these guys sound like on a professionally produced product, I can't wait for them to decide to tour through the Detroit area. In the meantime, I'm running out to find "Ether-Amplified Porch Music" and anything else I can find from this group.

As a long time Carbon Leaf fan, I was initially turned off by this CD. Its a bit of a departure from their previous CDs such as Ether-Electrified Porch Music and Echo Echo. The most noticable difference is the fact that it is not as "irish" as their previous albums. As a result, I was disappointed when I first bought this CD. However, as I gave it time, I came to appreciate the change. Echo Echo remains my favorite Carbon Leaf CD; however, there are some noteworthy songs on this album, specifically What About Everything and Life Less Oridinary.

I recommend this CD to current Carbon Leaf fans, but I also recommend approaching it with an open mind.