Search - Carbon Leaf :: Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat

The Band that Never Misses

The Stranger | Arlington, VA | 09/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Carbon Leaf has always succeeded in straddling a few genres including folk and celtic. This one feels a little more campfire and a little less rowdy pub. The vocals are strong as always and the guitar riffs soothing. One thing that really sticks out on this album is the drumming. This is by far the most aggresive drumming on any of their albums. It strikes an odd contrast between the assaulting drums and the somewhat mellower vocals and guitar.



In my review of Indian Summer (their previous release) I complained that Carbon Leaf was just rehashing their sound. After hearing Love-Loss I owe the band an apology. Seeing where the band is now, it becomes more apparent that Indian Summer was actually quite transitional. I think I'll always prefer the album that made me fall in love with the band (Echo Echo) but I continue to be impressed with their growth even if it's away from their distinct Irish/Rock flavor and into a mellower Leaf.



Tracks to listen to NOW: Under the Wire, The War Was In Color"

A gem that shines brighter with each listen

The Fifth Beatle | Southeastern U.S. | 09/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Carbon Leaf's sound continues to evolve, and the results are outstanding. The band says it has given up trying to "define" its style of music, since it's a shifting blend of so many influences and original ideas. In the past, Carbon Leaf has played variations of rootsy folk-rock with Celtic, bluegrass, and alt-pop flourishes. This new album is focused more on a clean but no less impressive, straightforward pop-rock sound that's catchy without being cloying, radio-friendly without being superficial. Even with this focus, there's excellent variety: "Block of Wood" has a gorgeous country-rock lilt, for example, while "International Airport" flirts with jazz. All in all, this is a polished gem that deserves to be the band's breakout album.



The songs range from engaging ("Bright Lights," "Love Loss Hope Repeat") to anthemic ("Learn to Fly," "Comfort") to heartbreaking ("Block of Wood") to humorous ("A Girl and Her Horse") to profound ("The War Was in Color"). If you enjoy infectious melodies, stunning harmonies, thought-provoking and often bittersweet lyrics, beautiful instrumentation, and pristine, finely crafted production, you will love this album.



There are acoustic rhythm guitars aplenty, neatly embellished with subtle electric guitar riffs and fills (Terry Clark and Carter Gravatt), anchored by a killer rhythm section (Jordan Medas on bass and Scott Milstead on drums) and some touches of mandolin (Gravatt again). This album also has a bit more keyboard work than some of Carbon Leaf's earlier releases, courtesy of guest musician Tim Lauer. Soaring above it all is the clear, resonant and at times hypnotic voice of lead singer Barry Privett, who also writes all of the band's lyrics.



This is my favorite release of 2006 so far, along with "Ganging Up on the Sun" by Guster. Both new and longtime fans of Carbon Leaf have much to celebrate with "Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat.""

Carbon Leaf is ready for the big time

Glen E. Nelson | Harwinton, CT USA | 11/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to write this review because this band's lyrics and music have been haunting my soul for the past year or so, particularly the last three months following the release of "Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat". I picked up an advance copy of the CD about a month before it came out, after I was already a huge fan of their last CD, "Indian Summer". That CD, incidentally, is nearly flawless in every way. So much so that I was convinced no band could ever reproduce another piece of art like that twice. However, "Love..." not only matches the brilliance of "Indian...", but it is equally on par in every way. With no pictures to look at and no liner notes to read, I let the music speak for itself. And boy oh boy, does it ever. After repeated listens, not only does it get better and better but I want to hear it again all the more. This is a band that has managed to get very close to the fire of greatness and is crafting music of a supremely higher order. I felt like they were my own, and I got to go see them play on this tour in a little club in Rhode Island, and they took it to an even higher level. Carbon Leaf is actually an amazing band to see perform live in concert. I'm already wishing I could fly down to Virginia to see them again. I'm certain by the next time I see them, it will be in an arena. I wish that they could stay 'mine' forever, but that is not going to happen. They are poised on the brink and ready to explode, and I can't wait to see it. This semi-jaded music lover has not been as rabid of a fan for a band in a very long time. Look, after a lifetime of buying CDs and listening to music, I've learned one thing. There are only two types of music, good music and bad music. Carbon Leaf is great music. Go ahead. Enjoy, world."