Songs About Leaving

Carissa's Wierd

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 6, 2002)
• Original Release Date: August 6, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sad Robot Records
• ASIN: B00006EXD4
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,290 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo Fi

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The third release by Seattle cult-faves Carissa's Wierd (do not adjust your spell-check) is as emotionally uplifting as a drizzling, endlessly gray day in the Pacific Northwest. But then that seems largely the metaphorical point: whose spirit hasn't felt this dampened? This is sensitive, sophisticated acoustic pop as an ever-troubled Brian Wilson might have imagined it in some alternate, sun-deprived universe--sad and depressed, yet spiritually resonant and beautifully realized. There's a crucial fine line between morose and moody, and the band pirouettes with grace along its boundaries here. The delicate vocal harmonies and counterpoint of "You Should Be Hated Here" and hypnotic, minimalist-inspired interplay of strings and keyboard on "The Piano Song" belie the album's seven-day, largely in-studio gestation, while shuffling dirges like "Silently Leaving the Room" and "Farewell to All These Rotten Teeth" tap into a seeming stream-of-subconsciousness vein that's seductively mesmerizing, while the nervous "Sofisticated Fuck Princess Please Leave Me Alone" suggests there's still something seething beneath the album's languid mood and dreamy, musical torpor. Produced with understated grace by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars baffling, September 18, 2002

By	Ken Neld (Maine) - See all my reviews

Ever since I stumbled upon Carissa's Wierd a couple of years ago, with their debut "Ugly But Honest", I've simply been baffled by the fact that they aren't huge, at least in the indie-rock sense. They make music that really doesn't sound like much else. It's very emotional and intense and dramatic and over-the-top and it makes those emotions like lonliness and heartache and sadness sound as big as they feel right before you fall asleep at night. I don't see why anyone wouldn't think this is just the most beautiful music.

Anyways, I must say that this new album doesn't quite measure up to last year's unbelieveable "You Should Be At Home Here" (supposedly being re-issued by Sub-Pop at some point), which is far more cohesive and consistent. "Songs About Leaving" is more disjointed and hit-or-miss, but when it hits, as it does on songs like "September..." and "The Piano Song", it's their best work yet. Also lacking on this is the occasional super-tight, upbeat pop songs that appeared on their last two albums: this one is pretty much sad and slow to the bone. Still, I highly recommend it, and since it's their first (relatively) easy to find album, it's the perfect place to start.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If there was a symbol for my jaw dropping, I'd use it, November 7, 2002

By	Jason Lyon (Chattanooga, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just amazing. The cd hits knocks you down from the opening and keeps you down with songs like "so you wanna be a superhero" & "the piano song". The lyrics strech from long and brooding like "my life is full of whats not here / i'll fly away and save myself / i'll make you proud someday / to bad i wont be around to see your face" to short and sweet as in The Piano Song "you found relief somewhere between the tree & its shade / when you go away / heaven's a distance / not a place". The songs are written by someone in a horrible situation, for someone in a horrible situation whether it be loneliness, a breakup, or the like. I highly recommend this cd to anyone with an open mind and a love of well written lyrics.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING! The most talented music in years, September 20, 2002

By	Kennith Elliot (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

You have to take the time to get this CD. You have no idea what you are missing. This band is an undiscovered wonder. I have no idea why they are not the biggest thing in music right now. If you want music that can relax to but also inspire you this is it. It will re-invent your perspective on music altogether.
I can't even begin to explain what kind of music it is. It is unlike anything that is out there right now. It has somewhat of the traditional raw indie sound but it is so much more. It is just a matter of time before this group shows the world how amazing they are. Please do yourself a favor and buy this CD. I guarantee it to be the best purchase you will ever make.