Customer Reviews

Songs About Leaving

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

With music that sounds like it was intricately recorded in an abandoned buliding, and vocals that rarely go above a whipser, how can one go wrong? You can't. When it comes to this particular brand of indie rock, 'songs about leaving' triumphs like no other. Think of a less-upbeat christie front drive combined with the American analog set with some healthy Low and Slowdive influences mixed in. But this record is still so much more.

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.

ok this is definitly the most hauntingly, dreary, melanchoic, beautiful indie rock album ever written. buy this. for real.

This is a beautiful, melancholic album that never gets too wimpy or twee. It is fantastic. The melodies, the lyrics and the harmonies are all top-notch. There is plenty of piano and strings yet these instruments never overwhelm the songs. If you like this album then you may like:
1) Mettle by Hugo Largo
2) Paper Dolls And Paper Plates by Fear Of Commitment
3) A Life Full Of Farewells by The Apartments
4) Ports Of Call by Kristin Mueller

I've always enjoyed rock/pop bands which effectively utilize more classical-type instruments such as violins. Carissa's Wierd is by far my favorite. Being a fan of "Band of Horses", when I found out some of the members came from "Carissa's Wierd" I decided to look them up. The band name sounded too interesting to ignore. This was their first CD I purchased (and the only one which is easily available anymore... the others have been OOP for awhile).

The lead vocals and harmonies, especially by Jenn Ghetto, are absolutely breath-taking. The instrumentation is a wonderful blend of violins, acoustic guitars, drums, and bass - "chamber rock" as some have called it. While the sound is rather atmospheric and lo-fi, the music is the type you might relax to but will not fall asleep to. The harmonies and lyrics will catch your attention. "Saying sad things that don't make sense can just make you look like a liar." After hearing this CD the first time I immediately wanted to hear it again; I've gotten that same reaction from others I've shared it with. I tracked down all the recordings of theirs I could and I still find myself wishing they had recorded more.

Okay, I've never been at the cusp of what's happening "now" in anything. But I always seem to find the good ones after it's too late. I feel bad that they never made it as "big" as some of the other, less talented bands to come out of the Pacific Northwest over the years, but maybe it's a good thing. Some things should be special to those who know about them, and only those people. I stumbled upon C.W. after they had already gone, but I still feel special for having heard them. While I have my favorites, there isn't a single track on this disk I would skip.

Do you like Bright Eyes? Elliott Smith? Cat Power? Low? Rachel's? Old-school Metallica? Godspeed? Belle and Sebastian? WEll, this dynamic, slowly-building music is for you. Thi sis their best album yet, produced by Chris Walla from DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, CW's songs are melancholy masterpieces of dynamic power -- hushed yet intense vocals sung atop really cool mixtures of strings, piano, and guitars. It's a shame this is their 3rd album and they're still so unknown outside of the Pacific Northwest. I caught them 'cause they were touring with Ohio's awesome Six Parts Seven... Check it out!

few weeks ago i was looking for really depressive music,i told people i was looking for something with the dark mood of bright eyes and musical beauty of damien rice,and they just told me to listen carissa's wierd's "songs about leaving"

And i did..At first besides feeling scattered, the songs all seemed to be familiar.To be honest carissa's wierd will not give you any new technics or some great discovery in the name of music..But it didnt take much time for some tracks to come to the surface and take place in my mind.Untill then,i listen to this album each day , and always with tears in my eyes..

i dont have a real opinion about the other albums of the band yet but now i've listened this one enough to talk about it. Songs about leaving carries every emotion based on leaving, the elegy for someone you love who is no longer with you ("absance only made our hearts grow colder..where's your sweet heart who shelters it from the cold now?..")the feeling of loving someone but knowing you can no longer be with them cos they lack love for you(i'll make you proud just wont be around to see yr face or the weird,aching taste of leaving someone you will always love but no longer have desire or care about (i hope you have a coat to keep you warm,warmer then the last times we spoke,i hope nothing will ever remind you of me)or just basicly the unbearable,respectworthy sorrow of being alone or away

Songs about leaving is sure to spread a sweet taste of sorrow and solitude to anyone who has a heart,and will make those who are in situations like these songs cry their eyes out.dont get me wrong,it will not make you feel bad or think about the world,it will just share and ease your pain you are experiencing or just remind it to you for your own good.