Music review: Brandi Carlile – 鈥業n These Silent Days鈥�
Brandi Carlile emerged out of a life in lockdown to deliver a moving new album formed during a reflective time of quiet isolation.
鈥淚n These Silent Days鈥� finds the 40-year-old singer-songwriter providing her personal perspective on life, love and lessons learned the hard way through 10 emotionally charged arrangements that provide an intimate view into Carlile鈥檚 heart and soul.
鈥淩ight on Time鈥� opens the set with Carlile addressing the need to be a stronger partner as she declares, 鈥淗elp me to rewind and we can find ourselves again.鈥�
鈥淵ou and Me on the Rock鈥� spotlights Carlile channeling the organic simplicity of Joni Mitchell as she speaks about the process of constructing a lasting relationship that brings out the best in her by gratefully proclaiming, 鈥淚鈥檒l build my house up on this rock, baby/Every day with you/There鈥檚 nothing in that town I need/After everything we鈥檝e been through.鈥�
鈥淟etter to the Past鈥� serves as a revealing confessional with Carlile fully understanding the things that left emotional scars on her growing up. As a result, she promises to be a better person for her family as she sings, 鈥淔olks are gonna lean on you/And leave when the cracks appear/But, darling I鈥檒l be here.鈥�
The yearning to improve as a parent is the subject of 鈥淢ama Werewolf.鈥� Sometimes good intentions can go astray and pain can be inflicted. Carlile asks that her children be the silver bullet that curbs the unintended reckless actions.
A wave of emotion is released on 鈥淏roken Horses鈥� with Carlile recounting a turbulent upbringing by fervently confessing, 鈥淚 have ever so politely treaded softly for your praise/I have whispered through the tears and pleaded sweetly to your face/It is time to spit you out like lukewarm water from my mouth/I will always taste the apathy, but I won鈥檛 pass it down.鈥� This stunning number leaves its impact far after the closing notes fade with Carlile determined not to repeat mistakes of the past.
The album closes with the tender piano ballad 鈥淭hrowing Good After Bad.鈥� The heartache of a dissolving relationship is heard and felt through Carlile鈥檚 vulnerable vocals describing the painful moment when distance is the only option as she sings, 鈥淚 know you鈥檙e leaving me/I know I鈥檓 not your home.鈥�
In the end, Carlile鈥檚 bumps in the road and temporary setbacks of the past serve as motivation to build a life on a solid foundation that can stand the winds of change in a way that provides protection from the imperfections that challenge us daily.