While Carrie Newcomer is certainly not a new voice in the music industry, Before & After serves as my introduction to her music. Her latest work follows the critically acclaimed The Geography of Light and was co-produced by David Weber in America’s heartland. The album also includes a guest appearance by Mary Chapin Carpenter on the title track.
Newcomer opens the album with her formidable (but figurative) guns blazing with the title track, a deep, rich piece of Folk that features the album’s only special guest. For a new listener, such as myself, it’s a surprisingly intimate sounding track that seeps just enough inspirational tones that you might argue it an anthem of sorts. The album continues in much the same vein throughout, suggesting that Newcomer understands what she does best and doesn’t like to jump the tracks very often. Before & After is firmly rooted in the Folk movement, yet it’s musically a good bit richer than traditional folk. It fits in well with the more mainstream Folk artists that came to prominence in the late nineties (and are still making meaningful and musically rich music today). There are a few highlights here. Of course there is the title track, but also songs like the beautiful and poetic “I Do Not Know Its Name,” and the album’s most upbeat moment, “A Simple Change of Heart,” which also feels like a gentle call to arms.
While there isn’t really a bad song on here, some of it does start to blend together after a few listens. I really like Newcomer’s deeper, fuller voice. She doesn’t really sound like many other popular artists and that goes a long way towards distinguishing her from the pack. Before & After is a good album but if you’re not careful, it’s easy for it to slip into the background. All in all, a pleasant listen and interesting enough to get me to explore her back catalog.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
