Kasey Chambers is a young singer out of Australia. Officially, her genre is considered ‘alternative country’ but really, its hard to put a name to her music. Her music appeals to a wide variety, from my country-avoiding fiancé to my eleven-year-old daughter, all the way down to my mom, who is something of a country purist. I first heard of her a couple years ago and after being haunted by her quirky voice, I broke down and bought one of her CDs, “Barricades and Brickwalls” and I’m so happy I did. First, let’s talk about her voice. When I first heard her, I thought she was very young, 14 at the most but as you listen to her music, the intensity and passion of her voice and her words, you realize she’s not as young as she initially sounded (she’s in her mid-twenties).
Lyrics aside for a moment, Kasey sings as if she is really enjoying what she’s doing, as if she is putting her heart and soul into her music. Because of this, you really feel the music. Put yourself into an empty room, close your eyes and put on this CD and experience her sadness when she sings of missing her hometown or not being pretty enough.
Lyrically, Kasey Chambers is a wonder. At times (on the song “Crossfire”, for example), her lyrics are challenging, often prompting my fiancé to admit, “I have no idea what she’s talking about.” But at other times (such as “Not Pretty Enough” or “A Little Bit Lonesome”) her lyrics are simple and haunting, putting passion into everyday feelings. To her credit, all thirteen of the songs on the album were written by Kasey herself.
As for genre, “Barricades and Brickwalls” is hard to pin down. Some of the songs, such as “A Little Bit Lonesome” and “Not Pretty Enough” have a very country bluegrass feel while Kasey rocks out a bit on “Crossfire” and the title track. “Nullarbor Song”, which Kasey penned in honor of the Nullarbor Plains in Australia, has a very Loreena McKennitt feel to it.
I give “Barricades and Brickwalls” 5 out of 5 stars.