Brandi Carlile’s third album, Give Up the Ghost, is a ghost story dressed as a rock record. It moves between grief, defiance, and a strange kind of hope, and it does so without ever losing its footing. This is a record about letting go, and about the stubborn refusal to stop believing.
Opening With a Warning
“Looking Out” opens the album with a warning shot. Carlile sings about the weight of carrying too much, and the song’s slow build sets the tone for everything that follows. It is a quiet anthem, patient and deliberate, and it earns its place as the record’s mission statement.
“Dying Day” picks up the pace. It is a song about the end of a relationship, and it lands with a sharp, bitter edge. The guitar work here is fierce, and the lyrics are blunt about the pain of ending things. It is a strong start, and it signals that this is not a gentle record.
Pride and Joy
“Pride and Joy” is a slower, sadder affair. It is a love song that knows the wound it describes, and it plays that knowledge for what it is worth. The melody is simple, almost folk-like, and Carlile’s vocal performance carries the weight of the lyric. It is a solid track, though it does not reach the heights of the songs around it.
“Dreams” follows, and it is one of the album’s best moments. It is a song about chasing something bigger than yourself, and it finds the right balance between ambition and humility. The chorus is big, and the arrangement builds to a satisfying peak. It is the kind of song that rewards repeat listens.
“That Year” slows things down again. It is a reflective song about a particular moment in time, and it captures a feeling of nostalgia that feels earned rather than sentimental. The production is clean, and Carlile’s voice cuts through with clarity. It is a good track, though it does not demand attention the way the best songs on the record do.
Caroline and the Middle Stretch
“Caroline” is a standout. It is a song about loss, and it handles that loss with a mix of tenderness and anger that feels genuine. The song builds from a quiet piano line into a full-band swell, and the shift is effective. It is the emotional center of the album, and it deserves its place near the front.
“Before It Breaks” is a quieter, more contemplative track. It deals with the idea of a relationship reaching its limits, and it does so with a restrained, almost fragile quality. The song is not flashy, but it is well constructed. It holds the record together without drawing attention to itself.
“I Will” is a defiant song. It is about refusing to give up, and it has a raw, urgent energy that sets it apart. The chorus is anthemic, and the band plays with a sense of purpose. It is a strong track, though it shares some of the middle stretch’s identity problem.
“If There Was No You” is a brief, tender interlude. It is a short song, and it works best as a palate cleanser. It is not a major highlight, but it serves its function.
Oh Dear and the Middle Portion’s Close
“Touching the Ground” is a more straightforward rocker. It is about finding your footing after a fall, and it has a swagger that the earlier songs lacked. The guitar work is prominent, and the rhythm section locks in. It is a fun track, though it is less memorable than the album’s peaks.
“Oh Dear” is a quieter, more intimate song. It deals with the aftermath of a breakup, and it has a delicate, almost fragile quality. The song is not flashy, but it is well constructed. It closes the middle portion of the record on a note of sadness.
The Story and the Album’s Arc
“The Story” is a narrative song. It tells a story, and it does so with a clear, direct voice. The song is not a standout, but it fits the album’s overall arc. It is a solid track, though it is overshadowed by what comes before and after it.
“Turpentine” closes the record with a burst of energy. It is a song about breaking free, and it has a driving rhythm that feels cathartic. The song is the album’s final push, and it leaves the listener wanting more.
The Verdict
Give Up the Ghost is a strong album. It is uneven, but its highs are high enough to justify the whole. The record’s best moments — “Dreams,” “Caroline,” “If There Was No You,” “Turpentine” — are among Carlile’s finest work, and they carry the weaker stretches. It is a record about loss and resilience, and it finds the right balance between the two.
Key Facts
– Artist: Brandi Carlile
– Album: Give Up the Ghost
– Release type: Album
– Track count: 13
– Total runtime: 46 minutes
Ranking the Tracks
- “Caroline”
- “Dreams”
- “Turpentine”
- “I Will”
- “Before It Breaks”
- “Looking Out”
- “Pride and Joy”
- “Dying Day”
- “That Year”
- “If There Was No You”
- “Oh Dear”
- “Touching the Ground”
- “The Story”
- Looking Out4:19
- Dying Day3:33
- Pride and Joy4:21
- Dreams3:32
- That Year3:36
- Caroline3:36
- Before It Breaks3:57
- I Will4:10
- If There Was No You2:39
- Touching the Ground3:17
- Oh Dear2:51
- The Story3:58
- Turpentine2:58
