Brandi Carlile

The Firewatcher’s Daughter (ATO)

Brandi Carlile seems determined to defy expectations. Following stints with producers Rick Rubin and T Bone Burnett, she took the reigns herself for her fourth LP, 2012’s Bear Creek. On the Seattle songwriter’s fifth studio disc, she jumps from major label to powerful indie ATO, and cuts an album of marginally rehearsed, single-take tracks that expose rougher edges her previous efforts had largely polished off. The effect is impressive. Carlile’s voice and roots-rock inclination harness star power, but as she makes clear on the biting garage-riffed “Mainstream Kid,” she and longtime collaborators the Hanseroth twins are more interested in finding their own path. That route is wide-ranging on Daughter, from rolling folk-pop stomps (“Wherever Is Your Heart,” “The Things I Regret”) and country-inflected melodies (“The Eye,” “Wilder”) to bluesy rockers (“Alibi”). Though far from cohesive, the album instead showcases Carlile’s range, and suggests she can conquer any direction she chooses, or maybe even all of them. (Wed., 11pm, Central Presbyterian Church)

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This article appears in March 20 • 2015.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.