Kasey kicks Shania's butt

Barricades & Brickwalls\nKasey Chambers\nWarner Bros.\nIn the past few years I've heard a few references to "alt-country," and no good descriptions as to what that really means. But judging from the artists who are typically labeled "alt-country," I think it's fair to say it refers to good, original country music that draws from the classic country giants and adds new dimensions of sound through personal touches and outside influences. This is Kasey Chambers.\nHer second full-length album, Barricades & Brickwalls, keeps Chambers' smoky voice in the forefront, although she still has a few moments where the vocals sting more than soothe (a la Nelly Furtado). Though charming in small doses, putting up with it throughout the entire album can be just a little challenging. But Chambers' well-crafted songs and a tight back-up band more than make up for her occasional vocal slip. The band's role could be easily overlooked, but it's clear that the fiddle, baritone guitar, banjo and a few other instruments add a lot of spice. \nThe mood of the album can't be ignored. Chambers might be from Australia, but Barricades & Brickwalls sounds more like a parched southern farm. Part of the charm of the album is how Chambers moves from a naïve innocence to dark obsession, to spitting anger, to hopelessness. Like a well written character in story, you connect with her as a listener because her lyrics are diverse in content while her voice as a writer remains consistent.\nThough there are several standouts on this disc, Chambers' songwriting transforms some of the would-be filler into powerful mood establishing tracks similar to Neil Young's Harvest. The title track kicks off the album with a twangy blues sound of her band that grinds along with Chambers' sexy voice and obsessive lyrics. A sure to be favorite is the rockin' "Crossfire" featuring The Living End (another cool Aussie band) and where Chris Cheney gives Brian Setzer a run for his money. There's even a decent cover of Gram Parsons' "Still Feelin' Blue." The final two tracks, "I Still Pray" and "Ignorance" are also two of the better songs, but they're also the saddest and most somber tracks on the album. While both are good songs, they're nothing I'd recommend listening to often unless you enjoy being depressed. \nBut good songwriting isn't limited to making your listeners happy. It's making them feel something real. With Chambers' songwriting talent Barricades & Brickwalls accomplishes this with no problem. \n

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