Brandi Carlile’s The Story is a live record dressed up as a studio one. Carlile recorded these thirteen songs with a full band in front of an audience, and she wants you to feel the room. That approach works for half of the album and fails for the other half. The record is best heard as a document of a particular moment, not a statement of artistic ambition.
Opening With the Title Track
The album opens with “Late Morning Lullaby,” a gentle acoustic number that sets a warm, intimate tone. It’s a pleasant opener, but it doesn’t demand attention. Then comes the title track, “The Story,” which runs 3:58 and sets the record’s central tension: Carlile is telling a story about her own life, and the live recording makes that story feel immediate.
“Turpentine” follows at 2:58, a shorter, sharper rocker that shows off Carlile’s command of a bluesy riff. It’s a highlight of the early run, proof that the band can lock into a groove when the song calls for it.
“My Song” runs 4:28 and leans into a folk-rock arrangement. It’s solid, but it feels like filler compared to what surrounds it.
“Wasted” (3:47) is where the record starts to lose focus. The song drags, and the live recording’s ambient noise — the chatter, the hum — becomes a distraction rather than a texture. “Have You Ever” (2:33) recovers some energy with a faster tempo, but it’s brief and slight.
The Middle Stretch
“Josephine” (3:02) is a standout. It’s a moody, atmospheric track that lets Carlile’s voice stretch over a sparse arrangement, and it’s one of the few moments where the live recording enhances the song rather than encumbering it.
“Losing Heart” (3:36) is a mid-tempo ballad that feels like it’s trying to be a single. It’s competent, but it doesn’t leave much of an impression.
“Cannonball” (3:53) is the record’s most muscular track, a driving rock number that shows off the band’s tightness. It’s a relief after the weaker middle stretch, and it’s one of the tracks that best justifies the live approach.
“Until I Die” (4:06) is slower, more reflective, and it works as a palate cleanser before the album’s final push.
“Downpour” (3:15) is a decent pop-rock track that doesn’t break new ground. “Shadow on the Wall” (3:15) is similar, and together they pad the album’s back half without adding much.
The Closer
The closer, “Again Today / Hiding My Heart,” runs 10:39 and splits the difference between the two tracks. It’s a long, winding finale that stretches out the album’s runtime but doesn’t earn it. The song is fine, but it feels like a way to fill space rather than a statement.
What Works, What Doesn’t
The live recording is the record’s biggest asset and its biggest problem. When the songs are strong and the band is locked in, the audience energy lifts the music. When the songs are weak or the tempo drags, the ambient noise becomes a distraction.
The best tracks — “Josephine,” “Cannonball,” “Turpentine” — are the ones that don’t lean on the live context. They stand on their own, and they’re the reason this record is worth hearing at all.
The lesser tracks — “Wasted,” “Downpour,” “Shadow on the Wall” — are the ones that suffer from the live format. They’re competent songs, but they get lost in the shuffle.
The Verdict
The Story is a flawed but often rewarding listen. Carlile’s voice is the draw, and when she’s backed by a tight band and a willing crowd, the music is genuinely alive. The album’s weaker moments, though, drag it down, and the record’s length works against it.
| Track | Length |
|---|---|
| Late Morning Lullaby | 3:28 |
| The Story | 3:58 |
| Turpentine | 2:58 |
| My Song | 4:28 |
| Wasted | 3:47 |
| Have You Ever | 2:33 |
| Josephine | 3:02 |
| Losing Heart | 3:36 |
| Cannonball | 3:53 |
| Until I Die | 4:06 |
| Downpour | 3:15 |
| Shadow on the Wall | 3:15 |
| Again Today / Hiding My Heart | 10:39 |
The highlights are real. The filler is real too. This is a record that rewards attention but doesn’t demand it.
7 of 10.
- Late Morning Lullaby3:28
- The Story3:58
- Turpentine2:58
- My Song4:28
- Wasted3:47
- Have You Ever2:33
- Josephine3:02
- Losing Heart3:36
- Cannonball3:53
- Until I Die4:06
- Downpour3:15
- Shadow on the Wall3:15
- Again Today / Hiding My Heart10:39
