Seattle may not be a city most think of when they think of good torch rock singers, but that's only because they have not yet heard Carrie Akre. Perhaps best known as the lead vocalist for the now-defunct bands Hammerbox and Goodness, Akre is now on her third solo studio album in eight years.
…Last the Evening (Loveless Records) opens with a soulful, gospel-ish piano riff that leads into Akre's R&B styled vocals. "Courage" sets the stage for the emotional rollercoaster that is to come by reminding the listener that it's "the difference between love and holding back." Akre doesn't hold back on speaking her mind through music.
"Take My Heart" is an obvious choice for a single from the album, and should be in any music fan's romantic mix. The arrangement is reminiscent of 50s soul, and seems to exist simply as a backdrop for Akre's vocals. The lyrics are clear and direct, with a universal appeal:
Take my heart
Wrap it up in clover, don't tear it apart
If you feel that love is the most important part
I'll give you mine forever, yes right from the start
The despair and depression present in Akre's lyrics for "Trafalgar Square" are normally of the type that turn me off, but the music arrangement, with the Mellotron and loops keeping the energy flowing, allowed me to pay attention long enough to hear these gems of truth:
You can thank your lucky stars
If you've healed from all your scars
'Cause there are others who cannot
Whether they want to or not
As someone who is generally a "glass half-full" type person, it is good to be reminded that not everyone is able to easily recover from the emotional wounds. In just a few short minutes, Akre is able to express the perspective of a wounded and betrayed soul seeking solace and restoration.
Article comments
1 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to Advance and Boston.com.