Customer Reviews

Little Acts Of Treason

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

 

 

Carlene's last studio album of the 90's finds her without the production help of Howie Epstein, but WOW!--She didn't need him on this one. Just a fantastic, heart-wrenching, foot-stomping classic collection of terrific songs. All the tracks are great, but "Change" would have to be the best, followed by "Hurricane," "Come Here You" and the rest. This album, sadly, was doomed by the dumb video they made for the lead single "Love Like This." While the song was a great lead single, the video was so muddy that it made little impact. People expect a racy, snappy, peppy Carlene on video, and that video wrecked her brilliant track record of landing Top five singles on all her 90's albums. A shame, because this record is musically not only on par with her previous two, it edges them by a nose! BUY THIS. (And Carlene...please find a way to get over your troubles with the law and, especially, heroin. People still want to hear your incredible music, and there is a record deal to be had out there. Don't give up. Come On Back to the ones who really love you...")

Though Carlene has recorded only sporadically since her "breakthrough" 1990 album 'I Fell In Love,' each offering since then has been worth the wait. While many might feel that Carlene's musical "hook" is her ability to navigate an almost bizarre fusion of pop,rock,country,rockabilly, etc., her real power comes from an emotional and often startling sense of musical honesty. "Little Acts of Treason" rocks in the typical Carlene manner, especially on the irresistible 'Hurricane' and 'Love Like Like This,' but Carter has moved forward to explore a blunt, confessional style of country music that few others in the genre would dare to tackle. 'Change' is a haunting, wrenching, and ultimately triumphant track. 'Winding Stream,' despite its odd inclusion on this album, shines as Carlene's last word, if you will--a reminder that she has rightfully taken her place in one of the most influential families of American music.

Add Carlene Carter to the list of those who based on talent deserve to be much more successful than they have been. Little Acts of Treason rocks roots hard on some cuts, is blues tinged on some others, while its core are her smart, yearning ballads of love gone right and wrong. Little Acts of Treason, Change, and You'll Be the One are highlights. Best of the uptempo numbers are Love Like This, He Will Be Mine, and The Lucky Ones. Once married to Nick Lowe and the daughter of country royalty Carl Smith and June Carter Cash, Carter has her feet firmly in both the classic country and guitar pop worlds. The sound that personal history produces is hers alone. The best cut on the CD, her duet with her father, on Loose Talk is a perfect snapshot of what she's all about. Thirteen cuts, at least eight of them top notch -- Come Here You, reprised as the last thing on the CD, is probably the least interesting --, make this CD a buy if you stumble onto this work.

Little Acts of Treason is a strong 4 stars, almost 5. Probably went with 4 at least in part cuz I didn't feel it quite as much as Little Love Letters, which is a 5 star album by Carlene. Music lovers should check that one out too. Anyway, as to Little Acts of Treason, here are worthy songs:

Hurricane - quick, toe-tapping beat. Spunky lyrics song with spirit. The singer will get even with a man who hasn't treated her well.

Love Like This - heavy beat, strong lyrics about how singer and her lover's love is a powerful force.

Little Acts of Treason - this title track is genuinely moving and thoughtful, about how little touches and glances will betray the love between sing and beau.

He Will Be Mine - almost a rock tune, dedicated to lover, including the physical stuff

Come Here You - features some harmonica, has good feel for the dance floor.

All Night Long - cool guitars here, almost a perfect country/rock hybrid

Loose Talk - a very traditional sound. Is a duet between Carlene and a male singer. They are tired of being the subject of town rumors.

Go Wild - another almost rock tune, boisterous lyrics, the singer wants to cut loose.

A worthy album by Carlene