“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
One Prairie Outpost
Carbon Leaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sky unwrapped, the world my toy
A movie reel a million miles long
On and on...
Scene after scene passes by my life
The window's a wound. The road is a knife
The irony, ask me, 'where have you been?'
Because I don't know where to begin
Too much to do, too much to see
Pictures to take, people to meet
When there's so much space in between
It overwhelms me
Scene after scene passes by my life
The window's a wound. The road is a knife
The irony, ask me, 'where have you been?'
I don't know, I don't know
Because I don't know where to begin
Not been here since I was a boy
Now heart full of fear and a mask of painted joy
So much for these youthful eyes to see
So much for peace and tranquility
One Prairie Outpost, you are how I feel...
Alone in a flatland 'tween the dream and the real
The irony, ask me, 'where have you been?'
I don't know, I don't know
Because I don't know where to begin
I don't know where to begin
The lyrics of Carbon Leaf's song "One Prairie Outpost" describe the nostalgic and bittersweet feeling of returning to a place where the singer used to feel carefree and alive, but now can't seem to shake off the burden of responsibilities and regrets. When the singer says, "not been here since I was a boy," he means that he's been away from this place of peace and freedom, both physically and emotionally. The line "the sky unwrapped, the world my toy" is a vivid image of the endless possibilities that seemed to stretch out before the singer when he was young. The phrase "a movie reel a million miles long" shows how much the singer's life has changed since then, and how overwhelming it all seems.
The singer feels trapped by the very things that used to motivate him: there's "too much to do, too much to see," and the "pictures to take, people to meet" that once excited him now seem like impossible tasks. The line "the window's a wound, the road is a knife" suggests that the singer is constantly moving, but the journey is painful rather than liberating. He's lost his way, and he doesn't know how to find it again. The title of the song, "One Prairie Outpost," is a metaphor for the singer's own isolation - he feels like he's stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but his own thoughts for company.
Overall, the song is a lament for lost youth, a longing for simpler times, and a recognition of the burden of growing up. The singer's emotions are complex and nuanced, reflecting the way that returning to a place from one's past can bring up many conflicting feelings. Through the song, Carbon Leaf captures the universal experience of feeling torn between the past and the present, and the struggle to find one's way in a world that seems increasingly complex.
Line by Line Meaning
Not been here since I was a boy
It has been a long time since I visited this place when I was still a child.
The sky unwrapped, the world my toy
As a child, I used to see the world as full of possibilities, and I had the freedom to explore it.
A movie reel a million miles long
My memories of this place are like an endless movie reel, with each scene representing a moment of my life.
On and on...
The memories just keep coming, never-ending.
Scene after scene passes by my life
My life is passing by like scenes in a movie.
The window's a wound. The road is a knife
As I travel, the view from the window is a reminder of what I've left behind, and the road ahead is daunting and painful.
The irony, ask me, 'where have you been?'
It's ironic that I don't know where I've been or how I got here, despite the many experiences I've had.
I don't know, I don't know
I'm uncertain and lost, with no clear direction.
Too much to do, too much to see
There are so many things I want to do and see, but there never seems to be enough time or resources.
Pictures to take, people to meet
I want to capture memories and connect with new people during my travels.
When there's so much space in between
The distance between my experiences can make them feel disconnected and overwhelming.
It overwhelms me
The sheer amount of experiences and possibilities can be too much to handle.
Now heart full of fear and a mask of painted joy
As an adult, I'm more aware of the potential dangers and challenges in life, but I still try to maintain a façade of happiness.
So much for these youthful eyes to see
There are still many things I want to experience, even as an adult.
So much for peace and tranquility
Despite my desire for adventure, I also long for a sense of calm and peace in my life.
One Prairie Outpost, you are how I feel...
This particular location reminds me of the conflicting emotions and desires that I'm experiencing.
Alone in a flatland 'tween the dream and the real
I feel isolated and lost in a vast, open space that seems to exist between my dreams and reality.
I don't know where to begin
I don't have a clear starting point for making sense of my experiences or finding direction in life.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BARRY THOMAS PRIVETT, CARTER GRAVATT, SCOTT ANDREW MILSTEAD, TERRELL H. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Novaris Light
I absolutely cannot wait, this is one of my favorite Carbon Leaf songs of all time! Thank you everyone for doing this for your fans! Much love! -Blue Dog
grtch ldy
This song really hits home for me right now. Just moved back to the Prairie Lands myself a couple years ago. Haven’t been back here since I was a girl. So, yeah this one got to me. Thanks.
YayMusicOfficial
Absolutely gorgeous <3 The slide is a fantastic touch.
Hern A
Only recently discovered this band. One word. Amazing.
Jaqueline Lutz
I can't wait for more videos! This song has been my favorite for so long <3
Steven Haines
So I’m not sure where the hell I’ve been! But I’m finding one my favorite bands has an album since last year??!!!! Damn life!!!! Just amazing hearing this song!!! Thank your!
Michael Johnson
Amazing. Wonderful. Thank you. 🙏🏽
Robert Shay
Such a great show in Pittsburgh!! Have a great tour guys!!!
beckiezra
Jealous you got to go! The ads for it were what introduced me to the band but I didn’t get a chance to go to the concert in Pittsburgh.
MentalHealth & Wellness Coach
Gosh totally love it