Carbon Leaf
Some bands insist on dragging listeners into their world, but Richmond, VA'… Read Full Bio ↴Some bands insist on dragging listeners into their world, but Richmond, VA's Carbon Leaf works towards a more admirable and considerably more difficult goal – that of letting perfect strangers feel that the band understands their world. Since 1992, the band has succeeded in doing just that -- and on its third Vanguard release, Nothing Rhymes With Woman, has created a soundtrack suitable for multiple worlds.
“For me, this is an album that’s focused on growth and maturity, but it’s not deadly serious,” says front man Barry Privett. “I wanted to examine my life and the lives of my family and friends and do it with a little bit of a wink. The last thing I wanted to do was get all dark and overwrought.”
Privett and his bandmates dodge that pitfall with aplomb on Nothing Rhymes With Woman, the much-anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed 2006 offering Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat. As ever, the quintet -- recently joined by drummer Jason Neal, a veteran of the southeast’s club circuit, and Seattle bassist Jon Markel -- challenge themselves and listeners by steadfastly refusing to retrace old steps, bringing in like-minded collaborators (like Toby Lightman, who brings a burnished tone to her vocal parts on the gritty “Meltdown”) and taking off in plenty of new directions of their own accord.
That sense of freshness, to hear Privett tell the tale, has a lot to do with the relaxed nature of the disc’s recording, which took place in their Richmond, Virginia backyard. “This time, we did something we hadn’t done in a long time, and that was to just throw away the timeline altogether,” says the singer. “We waited until everyone believed in every single song without any doubt or questions. It was a return to the days of doing music for the sheer joy of just doing it.”
The joy he’s talking about proves contagious throughout the 13-song disc, both in sonic touches like the soaring harmonies that buoy “Indecision” and the instantly relatable vibe of narratives like the nostalgic childhood flashback “X-Ray.” The tones are certainly varied -- things get more than a little misty on “Pink,” a poignant tale of a woman battling serious illness -- but they’re invariably free of artificiality. Every color here is one that one can find in nature.
“A lot of the songs are about getting back to your roots,” says Privett, who reckons the band gained a lot of traction by spending a considerable stretch of time close to home, as opposed to its usual relentless touring slate. “You know, holding onto the touchstones that keep you grounded in reality. They’re easy to lose sight of sometimes, and often you need reminding. Fortunately, we have friends and family that will do that in no uncertain terms.”
Nothing Rhymes With Woman finds the Virginia-based band firmly in touch with its roots -- the Celtic tinge that cloaks “Pink” is reminiscent of Carbon Leaf’s passel of self-released discs. Throughout the set, however, the quintet affirms a commitment to moving forward, kicking out the jams a bit more aggressively on the sinewy walking blues “Another Man’s Woman” and interpolating the rich organ playing of longtime Dave Matthews Band keyboardist Butch Taylor on several tracks, including the arresting opener “Indecision.”
“It’s always been really important to us to keep an organic feel to what we do,” says Privett. “For us, recording this album was like a renewal, kind of like the coming of spring. In a way, it’s very sensual, very sexual, gentle and mellow in spots, but also acknowledges a fair share of optimism and a re-awakening to new possibilities.
In 2004, Vanguard released Carbon Leaf’s breakthrough disc, Indian Summer, which earned rave reviews from sources like The Washington Post, which marveled at Privett’s ability to “capture the emotional ache of a twenty-something as he watches his friends scatter to the four corners of the world”. For the next year and a half, the quintet would set about winning over audiences while on tour -- a recipe that helped "Life Less Ordinary" and "What About Everything?” up the charts.
That winning streak continued with Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat, a darker collection, recorded in Nashville, that showcased other facets of the Carbon Leaf sound and rose to number-three on Billboard’s Top New Artists chart. “We definitely stretched ourselves on that album,” says Privett. “It was unsettling in a way, but definitely helped us find ourselves.”
Reunited with producer John Morand, who manned the board for Indian Summer, Carbon Leaf takes the proverbial next step on Nothing Rhymes With Woman. The multi-instrumental web woven by Carter Gravatt and Terry Clark provides a perfect backdrop for Privett’s tenor, which hovers ethereally on “Lake of Silver Bells” and cuts with the precision of a knife wielded by a master chef on the poignant “Miss Hollywood.”
“I think ’Miss Hollywood,’ like a lot of the album, has a kind of feminine energy, which helps explain the title,” says Privett. “It’s that balance of strength and fragility, of keeping dreams in check, but not forgetting where they came from. It’s a positive and nurturing energy, and that’s the feeling we’d like people to come away with when they listen to the album.”
Barry Privett: Vocals, guitar
Terry Clark: Guitar, vocals
Carter Gravatt: Guitar, vocals
Jason Neal: Drums, percussion
Jon Markel: Bass
“For me, this is an album that’s focused on growth and maturity, but it’s not deadly serious,” says front man Barry Privett. “I wanted to examine my life and the lives of my family and friends and do it with a little bit of a wink. The last thing I wanted to do was get all dark and overwrought.”
Privett and his bandmates dodge that pitfall with aplomb on Nothing Rhymes With Woman, the much-anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed 2006 offering Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat. As ever, the quintet -- recently joined by drummer Jason Neal, a veteran of the southeast’s club circuit, and Seattle bassist Jon Markel -- challenge themselves and listeners by steadfastly refusing to retrace old steps, bringing in like-minded collaborators (like Toby Lightman, who brings a burnished tone to her vocal parts on the gritty “Meltdown”) and taking off in plenty of new directions of their own accord.
That sense of freshness, to hear Privett tell the tale, has a lot to do with the relaxed nature of the disc’s recording, which took place in their Richmond, Virginia backyard. “This time, we did something we hadn’t done in a long time, and that was to just throw away the timeline altogether,” says the singer. “We waited until everyone believed in every single song without any doubt or questions. It was a return to the days of doing music for the sheer joy of just doing it.”
The joy he’s talking about proves contagious throughout the 13-song disc, both in sonic touches like the soaring harmonies that buoy “Indecision” and the instantly relatable vibe of narratives like the nostalgic childhood flashback “X-Ray.” The tones are certainly varied -- things get more than a little misty on “Pink,” a poignant tale of a woman battling serious illness -- but they’re invariably free of artificiality. Every color here is one that one can find in nature.
“A lot of the songs are about getting back to your roots,” says Privett, who reckons the band gained a lot of traction by spending a considerable stretch of time close to home, as opposed to its usual relentless touring slate. “You know, holding onto the touchstones that keep you grounded in reality. They’re easy to lose sight of sometimes, and often you need reminding. Fortunately, we have friends and family that will do that in no uncertain terms.”
Nothing Rhymes With Woman finds the Virginia-based band firmly in touch with its roots -- the Celtic tinge that cloaks “Pink” is reminiscent of Carbon Leaf’s passel of self-released discs. Throughout the set, however, the quintet affirms a commitment to moving forward, kicking out the jams a bit more aggressively on the sinewy walking blues “Another Man’s Woman” and interpolating the rich organ playing of longtime Dave Matthews Band keyboardist Butch Taylor on several tracks, including the arresting opener “Indecision.”
“It’s always been really important to us to keep an organic feel to what we do,” says Privett. “For us, recording this album was like a renewal, kind of like the coming of spring. In a way, it’s very sensual, very sexual, gentle and mellow in spots, but also acknowledges a fair share of optimism and a re-awakening to new possibilities.
In 2004, Vanguard released Carbon Leaf’s breakthrough disc, Indian Summer, which earned rave reviews from sources like The Washington Post, which marveled at Privett’s ability to “capture the emotional ache of a twenty-something as he watches his friends scatter to the four corners of the world”. For the next year and a half, the quintet would set about winning over audiences while on tour -- a recipe that helped "Life Less Ordinary" and "What About Everything?” up the charts.
That winning streak continued with Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat, a darker collection, recorded in Nashville, that showcased other facets of the Carbon Leaf sound and rose to number-three on Billboard’s Top New Artists chart. “We definitely stretched ourselves on that album,” says Privett. “It was unsettling in a way, but definitely helped us find ourselves.”
Reunited with producer John Morand, who manned the board for Indian Summer, Carbon Leaf takes the proverbial next step on Nothing Rhymes With Woman. The multi-instrumental web woven by Carter Gravatt and Terry Clark provides a perfect backdrop for Privett’s tenor, which hovers ethereally on “Lake of Silver Bells” and cuts with the precision of a knife wielded by a master chef on the poignant “Miss Hollywood.”
“I think ’Miss Hollywood,’ like a lot of the album, has a kind of feminine energy, which helps explain the title,” says Privett. “It’s that balance of strength and fragility, of keeping dreams in check, but not forgetting where they came from. It’s a positive and nurturing energy, and that’s the feeling we’d like people to come away with when they listen to the album.”
Barry Privett: Vocals, guitar
Terry Clark: Guitar, vocals
Carter Gravatt: Guitar, vocals
Jason Neal: Drums, percussion
Jon Markel: Bass
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Carbon Leaf Lyrics
) Message To Me Where, oh, where is that little child that used to…
...For Your Violin She said, "Catch me if you can. You better plan,…
7 Brides for 7 Sinners Hold the phone. Where's the fire? Call the preacher. We must…
A Girl And Her Horse You lean forward to go You pull back to go slow These…
A Song for the Sea Where, where do they go? Where are the fishermen gone? Heade…
Alcatraz Hello, it’s been a while You know, I wished ya well I…
American Tale Shot, take it in. Shot of Indigo Shot, take it…
Another Man's Woman I fell in love with another man's woman Another man's woman…
Attica's Flower Box Window (She broached again and again over the careful morning scone…
Aurora Shuffle in the feet, thrive alive Viking Confident, am luck…
Big Strong Man Have you heard? Have you heard? Have you heard? Have…
Blind Session Eye Run away hindsight You've shown my shrine of Priceless reg…
Block Of Wood Grab your heart We need to leave There's no time to cry…
Bloody Good Bar Fight Song Everything is fine The spirit has to spill This blood must t…
Blue Ridge Caught a red moon rise Brought me to our lives…
Blue Ridge Laughing Caught a red moon rise Brought me to our lives…
Bow & Arrow Call the doctor. Start to pray You’ve got to shore…
Bright Lights How was I to know? How was I to feel? You're leaving…
Changeless Call my friends to share some wine To share some laughs,…
Christmas At Sea Trying hard to stay awake Christmas cards stacked on the tab…
Christmas Child Winter's eve is creepin' in On December 1st on a…
Cinnamindy She longs for Peace It's her revenge She's a stark-white P…
Circus Caught in a crowd. It’s like a garden And you’re turning…
Clannanhide There's a place we hide true selves Shine them into…
Clockwork A monster used to chase me Used to jump from the…
Come Again Please break away Afraid you'll fray out on the game…
Come Again? Please break away Afraid you'll fray out on the game…
Come Sunday Morn My eyes are hazy. My spirit’s weak I can run with…
Comfort I raced along an empty highway. I chased the dawn And cursed…
Country Monkee (Cow Moo) It's been said, keep your head My therapy is a…
Crazy Train Crazy, but that's how it goes Millions of people living…
Crossroads While at a crossroads Headed A to B I fell for a…
Days Gone By It's where I am, It's where I go, When I…
Dear Lie awake and look through the trees My dear, my dear I…
Desperation Song Here I'm debating time, I'm waiting Come the wake Free…
Directional View. a different view I'm quite through Think I'll go outsi…
Drop of Rain Drops of rain, oh The sun wants to break through April just…
Drops Of Rain Drops of rain Oh the sun wants to break Through April just…
Dusk It's dusk, why'know? It's a purple sky...cold air...woodsmo…
Flood Over Prudence Hall we fall. Unassuming, quiet all. Peaceful …
Follow the Lady She's assigned a witch to spell my heart And now…
Follow The Lady* She's assigned a witch to spell my heart And now…
For the First Time If I could see the western sky for the first…
For The Girl What's best to show? Testline. Treasure trove. Fountain, flo…
For Your Violin She said, "Catch me if you can. You better plan,…
Gathering Blinding brightly, we see Through renaissance dreaming, we b…
Gifts From the Crows The morning hits me up early I follow my thoughts down…
Girl and Her Horse You lean forward to go You pull back to go slow These…
Gloryland If you have friends in Gloryland, Who left because of…
Grey Sky Eyes Grey sky, always in your eye Where is the girl behind…
Grey Sky Eyesmp3 Grey sky, always in your eye Where is the girl behind…
Home I lit a light on my gloom And now there's…
I Know the Reason You talk tough to me And it makes me smile…
Ice And Snow Ice and snow Ice and snow falling in time Together they ming…
If I Were a Cowboy The ghost of a building that once was a barn Leans…
Indecision Long days, come alive I take it in through my…
International Airport Wide-awake â?? I'm on a plane out of town. Fly away â??…
Is This the Fall? Is This The Fall? Free, exactly where I should be But, I…
Kettle I write fingers cut same blood as yours Can't make it…
Kinakeet Island Hang on Parade Catching up again Where's the feeling we…
Lake Of Silver Bells Float from the balcony We ride the pine top swells…
Learn To Fly Learn To Fly Hello, good-bye Higher you fly Into the world …
Let Your Troubles Roll By Love endures, it clings away When asked to leave, it begs…
Life Less Ordina Live a life less ordinary. Live a life extraordinary with m…
Life Less Ordinary Live a life less ordinary. Live a life extraordinary with me…
LifeLessOrdinary Live a life less ordinary. Live a life extraordinary with m…
Live Like You T's hard for me to think when I am cold I'm…
Lonesome Pine She made her way She felt she was to blame And…
Love Loss Hope Repeat Love Loss Hope Repeat Carbon Leaf Take a walk down town And…
Mary Mac There's a neat little lass And her name is Mary…
Maybe Today It's Sunday noon in my room The wind is really…
Mellow Tone You're on my fingers You're on my paper We're close…
Meltdown Hey, hey, how's it going? What you up to? How…
Message To Me Where, oh, where is that little child that used to…
Mexico Perhaps I've never tried that hard to see A palm tree…
Midwestern Girl She's a midwestern girl Her heart is papier-mâché With a tor…
Miss Hollywood Shootin' stars, gilded age Yeah, just spill your dreams to m…
Native America As I went out in the open I left for a…
November Board the windows, winterize... recess with my mind I have …
Nowadays So steadily go, the rain So steadily go, the time…
Ode To The Snow Snowfall requires listening And the silence it brings is dea…
Oi Rising ash, falling snow She used to lie and adore ya Windin…
On Any Given Day I woke up broke free, drove a long time didn't…
One Day One day, you'll be on your own You won't have a…
One Prairie Outpost Not been here since I was a boy The sky…
One Prarie Outpost Not been here since I was a boy The sky…
Ordinary Eyes Shall we begin? Gather round, gather all: Keep it real,…
Paloma Chase the high ground - where you'd rather be Where…
Paper Thin My attic is so full of life Why won't they come…
Pierce My Heart I want to live in the evergreens The Painted Desert’s arid…
Pink So, she catches herself When she looks down, or too…
Raise The Roof Raise the roof, that I might see the stars To gain…
Red Punch / Green Punch Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like A party out at my great…
Reunion Monticello Raise your family of ghosts and spirits, Sir, we really…
Royal One I'm on a roll, And I know where I've been. Heart and…
Sad and Alone Sad and alone, sad and alone A woe is me toast,…
Seed Vagabond or a bag of bones They lay out loose atop…
Seven Brides For Seven Sinners Hold the phone. Where's the fire? Call the preacher. We must…
She's Gone Round and round We do this song-and-dance Sail the rocky gr…
Shellfish This has nothing to do with you I know where I'm…
Shes Gone Round and round We do this song-and-dance Sail the rocky gr…
Shine Should I shy down. that's boring. snoring I'd like to…
Skeleton Man Dance Necessary food for the little ones Can't create when I'm und…
Snowfall Music Night time, bridges breathe Ebb and flow, cars blink like a…
So Why What's the point in reaching you my lonely friend? What's th…
Strain Tellmewnflwospwgrrrmtirhzslqiato*&$%#@!…
Summer Song Soak the sun Cinnamon What went wrong Summer Song Splinter s…
Texas Stars Breathe in the night Let it know just who you are How…
The Boxer Couldn't ask for a better day, two by two To…
The Donnybrook Affair A row, a ruction, a fracas, an affray A rough-n-tumble free-…
The Friendship Song I want to be the smile I want to see the…
The Sea I woke up from a dream A white rose was floating…
The War Was In Color I see you've found a box of my things - Infantries,…
This Is My Song! My name is Luck, this is my song I happened by…
Tip Toe Tip toe, tip toe... tip toe, tip toe... out of…
To My Soul Started out the same to Day Dreams Afloat the Mothering…
Toast To The New Year In the richest of seasons We're drenched to the bone While t…
Tombstone vs. Ashes A boy in church sat confused Father, Son, & Holy Ghost Came…
Torn to Tattered In a classroom somewhere alone Looking at the window scene…
Toy Soldiers Today I strike out on my own The dog is…
Traffic Don't get mad at nothin' (Anything) that passes by Don't…
Two Aging Truckers A horse needs to run, a heart needs to bleed.…
Under The Wire I need to feel redeemed. I'm going sideways down, An ever-wi…
Unknown Bride Church bells ring My footsteps follow the sound Walking alon…
Untitled I awaken Look through the the trees My dear My dear I…
Wandrin' Around Put me in new direction Point me to the edge of…
Weirdguyhaus Well I was in the house Planning my way out Hello society…
What About Everything Holiday quiet on these streets, except for some stubborn lea…
What Have You Learned What have you learned, can you remember? What would you like…
What Have You Learned? What have you learned, can you remember? What would you…
When I'm Alone I opened up the music box I wish you would have…
Wind in the Leaves Wind in the leaves, crawl from my bed The forest floor…
Winter's Dream I just dreamed what it's like for me to be…
Wolftrap and Fireflies Transport me and quarantine This feeling that is seldom scen…
X-Ray Heidi's chasing rabbits, Max is chasing cars It's summer, …