On its debut album, Carbon Choir shows off an undeniable mastery of the piano-and-falsetto, sensitive-guy rock form. The playing is skilled and the songwriting solid, even nuanced. Singer Joel Van Horne has a strong voice that falls somewhere between Thom Yorke and Chris Martin, with a touch of David Gray thrown in. Yet for all these positives, the album falls flat. The problem is, we're awash in a sea of this ColdFray vibe; from very special episodes of Grey's Anatomy to jewelry commercials, it's inescapable. And that's not even including most of the radio, every third arena-rock show and your mom and little sister's iPods. With such a pedestrian sound, Carbon Choir needs more than solid tunes to make an impression; it needs a miracle, and none are forthcoming.
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Julie 12/12/2009 5:12:26 PM
What does it take to review albums for Westword? The inability to write a review, the refusal to actually listen to the album, and the audacity to still write it. The album review by Cory Casciato of Carbon Choir is one of the most offensive things I have read. I can only gather that since this review, which was more of a personal attack than a critique, was allowed to be published it directly reflects the views of Westword. Not only was Carbon Choir ripped into, so were several other bands as well as all mothers and daughters. Women who, according to Cory Casciato, not only have terrible music taste, but can only get their music from television shows and commercials. I will say this - thanks to Mr. Casciato I will save time by never opening another Westword.