“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
I Know the Reason
Carbon Leaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it makes me smile
By the old church yard
Your feelings hide
I know the reason
And you won't say:
"If we grow too close,
Will you push away?"
And I like, that we're the same
Waterfall
Are you afraid to love?
You afraid to smile?
From the inside out,
To the open wide?
I know the feeling.
You're way too proud
And will they find you out
If you laugh out loud?
I know, that we're the same.
Waterfall.
Umbrella in the rain
And I won't ask why.
I know the reason
I thought you should know.
I know the reason.
I'll never be the same.
I clearly see umbrella in the rain
Over you and me
You are the best thing.
Let it show
And if we grow to close, let it undertow
This is the best thing
I know, that we're the same.
Waterfall. Umbrella in the rain
And I won't ask why.
I know the reason
I thought you should know.
I know the reason.
Should we fall down?
Fall down. fall down fall down
Fall down fall down.
I know, that we're the same.
Waterfall.
Umbrella in the rain
And I won't ask why.
I know the reason
I thought you should know.
I know the reason.
The song "I Know the Reason" by Carbon Leaf may seem like a simple love song at first listen, but it is actually a complex analysis of a person's fear of vulnerability and their tendency to push people away. The singer talks about how the person they adore puts up a tough exterior to hide their feelings, but the anger and fear they emit actually brings a smile to the singer's face. The unnamed person is scared of growing too close to someone, and they refuse to express this fear. The singer sees the same fear in themselves, and recognizes it as a defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt.
The lyrics go on to question if the person is afraid to love and show their emotions, even to themselves. The singer knows that they are too proud to let their guard down and show their true selves for fear of being judged, but they also recognize that this fear is what makes them so similar to the individual in question. The song continues with the singer expressing their unwavering love and support for the person, and encouraging them to let down their guard and show their true selves.
Overall, "I Know the Reason" is a deep exploration of fear and vulnerability in relationships, and encourages listeners to embrace their feelings and allow themselves to be seen for who they truly are.
Line by Line Meaning
You talk tough to me
You speak with confidence and assertiveness towards me.
And it makes me smile
Your words bring joy to me.
By the old church yard
We are located near a historic church cemetery.
Your feelings hide
You keep your emotions to yourself.
I know the reason
I understand why you behave in this way.
And you won't say:
You refuse to voice out
"If we grow too close,
You fear that our relationship may become too deep and intense.
Will you push away?"
You may choose to distance yourself in this scenario.
I know the reason
I understand your concerns and feelings about this situation.
And I like, that we're the same
I appreciate that I can relate to and understand you.
Waterfall
A reference to the waterfall you can hear in the background
Are you afraid to love?
Do you fear romantic relationships?
You afraid to smile?
Do you have apprehension when it comes to expressing happiness?
From the inside out,
Beginning with your inner self,
To the open wide?
Towards the outside world.
I know the feeling.
I can relate to how you're feeling.
You're way too proud
Your pride gets in the way of your vulnerability.
And will they find you out
You are worried someone will reveal your true self.
If you laugh out loud?
If you express happiness in an uncontained manner.
I know, that we're the same.
I can identify with your concerns and feelings.
Waterfall. Umbrella in the rain
Again, a reference to the waterfall and rain sounds in the background.
And I won't ask why.
I will not question why you behave as you do.
I know the reason
I have an understanding of the motivation behind your behavior.
I thought you should know.
I wanted you to be aware of how your actions were affecting me.
I'll never be the same.
Your impact on my life will be lasting.
I clearly see umbrella in the rain
Once again, referencing the sound of rain in the background.
Over you and me
Between you and me, our relationship.
You are the best thing.
You bring joy and happiness to my life.
Let it show
Do not conceal your true self.
And if we grow to close, let it undertow
If our relationship becomes too intense, allow it to flow naturally and without resistance like an undertow in a river.
Should we fall down? Fall down. fall down fall down
If our relationship fails or crumbles, let it do so without resistance.
I know, that we're the same.
We share similar experiences and emotions.
Waterfall. Umbrella in the rain
The use of background sounds for emotional emphasis.
And I won't ask why.
I won't question your feelings or behavior.
I know the reason
I understand your perspective and feelings.
I thought you should know.
I wanted you to be aware of my understanding of your situation.
I know the reason.
I understand your motivations and feelings.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BARRY THOMAS PRIVETT, CARTER GRAVATT, SCOTT ANDREW MILSTEAD, TERRELL H. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind