Preview: Brandi Carlile - The Story

Two years ago, something rare happened. A singer/songwriter local to my neck of the woods made a record so universally good that the rest of the country started (slowly, but surely) falling in love with it.

The singer/songwriter was Brandi Carlile, and I thought the album (by the same name) was pretty good. I thought there were a lot of promising hints of artistry there, but chances were good that Carlile was holding out on us. Then, when I went to see the Indigo Girls perform at the Zoo last year, Brandi made a surprise appearance so enthralling that, when her five minutes were up, the crowd of devoted Indigo Girls fans was calling for Carlile's return.

The secret is out now. Brandi Carlile is one of those artists with a voice so incredible that, especially live, is just physically impossible to ignore. It took two years for Columbia Records—the folks who brought us Bob Dylan—to scare up a sophomore release. But boy, is this new record worth the wait.

The Story promises to be one of the year's best breakthrough records from an Americana artist. Carlile's expertise is blending her obsession with Elton John together with her natural affinity for traditional country-folk and singer/songwriterly tunes. The album comes out April 3 on Columbia Records, followed immediately by a slew of headlining dates around the country.

Track Listing

1. Late Morning Lullaby
2. The Story
3. Turpentine
4. My Song
5. Wasted
6. Have You Ever
7. Josephine
8. Losing Heart
9. Cannonball (featuring the Indigo Girls)
10. Until I Die
11. Downpour
12. Shadow On the Wall
13. Again Today
14. Hiding My Heart (Hidden Track)

Pre-order Brandi Carlile - The Story

Visit Brandi Carlile's Web site for song samples from The Story, as well as tour and ticket info.