Australian country singer Kasey Chambers has released her 9th studio album, ‘Bittersweet’. The daughter of singer/musician Bill Chambers and the sister of musician/producer Nash Chambers, Kasey started out in her family’s band, The Dead Ringer Band. She released her first solo album, The Captain, in 1999 (2000 in the US), and since then, has made a name for herself as a talented, unique, country rock artist. I was first introduced to her music about 2 years ago, when a friend of mine, knowing how much I adore Johnny Cash, suggested I listen to Chambers’ Johnny Cash covers. I was impressed with her unique voice and cool personality, and although I have to admit that I didn’t jump on the Kasey Chambers band wagon right then, I assure you that I reserved a seat on that wagon after listening to Bittersweet.
I first heard about this album when Grady Smith (country music columnist for ) , and I decided to follow his lead and have a listen. I’m so glad I did. ‘Bittersweet’ tackles spirituality and life’s trials, with many of the tracks directly tackling Faith, God, and all the questions that people often have regarding religion, while others are more subtle or focuses on other kinds of struggles in life.
Bittersweet opens with the gentle, acoustic “Oh Grace”, a track about sacrificing everything for the sake of a romantic partner. There’s an undertone of melancholy on the track, and is reminiscent of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rogers, production-wise. It’s a beautiful, quiet track told from a man’s perspective. Another track that involves the narrator’s willingness to sacrifice everything for their loved one is “I Would Do”. The listener finds the lonely narrator declaring that they would do anything on the face of the earth for the object of their affection. The track features some Christian imagery in the verses, “And I would climb up to the very top of the Cross on demand/ Nails in my hands.” The narrator declares that she’s willing to beg, steal, and make any kind of deal, just for the one she loves.
“Hell Of A Way To Go” improbably finds honor and joy in an impending death. This track features a heavier (but not too heavy) production. The narrator tells the listener not to worry if she dies from the broken heart she’s carrying around, because “I like it just so you know/ I don’t mind/ ‘Cause it’s a hell of a way to go” and that “there ain’t no sweeter release/ I’m gonna rest in peace.” It’s another excellently written song. The haunting, Celtic flavored “Too Late To Save Me” finds a narrator who is the opposite of the God-fearing girl from the other, more spiritual tracks. “I waste my time upon my knees/ But I ain’t praying,” she sings from the perspective of a prostitute. Chambers passionately sings the chorus, “You can be the ramblin’ man/ We can shake the walls tonight/ I can be the God-damned/ Under that red light/ Ignite the gasoline/ It’s too late to save me.” The narrator isn’t ashamed of her lifestyle, in fact she’s passionate about her life choice and independence.
Chambers duets with Bernard Fanning on the title track. “Bittersweet” finds the two seeing about their relationship from a historical perspective, both knowing that they will only end up disappointing each other again and agreeing that it’s best not to rekindle the relationship. The track evokes what the title suggests, a bittersweet feeling. It’s a beautifully done duet.
There’s not a song on this record that isn’t good and that doesn’t belong on it, but there are a few that stand out more. For me, there are six standouts on this record: “Is God Real”, “Wheelbarrow”, “House On A Hill”, “Stalker”, “Heaven or Hell”, and “Christmas Day”. These tracks have a little something extra special. The innocently wondering “Is God Real” asks whether God is real or not, and whether or not he’s here with us. The song’s perspective is neither from a faithful Christian nor an atheist. It’s a simple song asking questions about God in a pure innocent way, which makes the track all the more relatable. Chambers opens the song with, “I don’t know if God is real/ Does he breathe or does he feel/ Does he mind when I’m angry/ Does he even notice me/ I don’t know if God is true/ Is he me or is he you/ Does he hear the words I say/ I think I’ll ask him anyway.” She goes on to ask questions that most people have asked themselves, and she does it in such a genuine way. Ultimately all she wants is to be able to believe in something.
In “Heaven or Hell” we find Chambers wondering where we go when we die. She paints pictures of different kinds of people, all unrighteous beings, and wonders whether they’ll go to Heaven or Hell. The lyricism on this track is excellent, perfectly stunning. Chambers sings, “Oh where do you go/ Where do you go when you bid farewell/ Oh where do you go/ Will it be Heaven or Hell,” in the chorus. The tracks mentioned above are definitely my two favorite tracks on the album. “Christmas Day” is a sweet song about the birth of Christ, told as a children’s story. It’s a simplified sing-a-long and a great way for children to learn the story of the birth of Jesus.
The revved up folk-rock “Wheelbarrow” is an enjoyable, catchy track. It creatively tells a tale of trading possessions for a homeless child. Chambers declares that “he gonna be sweet as honey/ Treated like my first born/ He gonna be rich until my money’s gone”. By far, the most fun, enjoyable track on this record is the hilariously sadistic “Stalker”. The track finds Chambers listing all the things she’d do if she could be a person’s stalker, for instance, leaving notes on the person’s car, drive by when she knows they aren’t home, and follow them to the grocery store. It’s a fresh, totally original track. Meanwhile, the melancholic “House On A Hill” tells the story of a broken relationship and likens it to a broken down house. It’s one of the saddest songs on the record, beautifully depressing.
Chambers closes out the album with the up-tempo, resilient “I’m Alive”. She declares her vitality with a foot-stomping fervor. She defiantly sings, “With my finger on the trigger/ I shot and I missed/ I smoked like a chimney/ I drank like a fish/ I crashed, I burned/ I lost/ But more than this/ I’m Alive.” She declares that she survived the hardest year but she’s alive and “I am well/ And I got me another chance/ And I got more stories to tell.” This is the perfect way to conclude the album. After examining the sad, darker points in life, she closes out the record with such a resilient track, it assures the listener that Kasey Chambers has absolutely no intention of quitting. She will be back with more stories to tell. Bittersweet is a superb album, excellently written, expertly well done. This record is a must for any music collection. So do yourself a favor and take a listen!
Originally posted here.
