Search - Deana Carter :: Story of My Life

A work of art... Deana is back and more fabulous than ever!

Housewives Connoisseur | Coolville, Ohio 45723 | 03/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me begin this review by saying I have been a Deana Carter fan for about six years now. I fell in love with her the very first time I heard her music when I was about 11 years old, and have been hooked ever since. I find "the story of her life" a very sad one, because, as an artist, she has had a less than desirable career. Her first album, the multiplatinum "Did I Shave My Legs For This?" became one of the biggest country albums of all time and spawned such super hits as "Strawberry Wine" and "We Danced Anyway," as well as the title track. However, Deana's subsequent album sales have dropped consistently with the last two albums she has released, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" and "I'm Just A Girl." This was an extreme injustice in my opinion, because these albums were extremely well crafted and genuine showcases of Deana's rare talent. In fact, I believe "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" and "I'm Just A Girl" were much better albums than "Did I Shave," but were not as popular because the record labels she was on at the time, Capitol and Arista, did not support them in the manner they could have. Throughout the nine years Deana has been in the mainstream Nashville scene, her music and aristry have only continued to prosper. Deana reminds me very much of the "Wildflower" she sang about on her third album, because she is always blooming and becoming better than she was before. Now this rare flower is back and better than ever with a brand new album, "The Story Of My Life" on the label Vanguard Records. This album finds Deana at the creative highpoint in her career- she was completely in charge of this album, from the writing and producing to the instrumentation. In fact, Vanguard record executives did not hear a note of this album until Deana was finished with it, right at the end of her first pregnancy. It is extremely, extremely rare for a record company to give an arist that much freedom on an album, especially when the artist's last two albums were mainstream flops. Well, I'm thrilled Vanguard did this, because the result was the best album of Deana's career, not to mention one of the best albums ever released in any genre of music, in my opinion. This album is a creative masterpiece; with introspective and creative lyrics, catchy and beautiful melodies and Deana's unique and amazing voice at its finest. Deana wrote every song on this album, 6 by herself and 5 with co-writers. Deana also played various instruments on the album, including electric and acoustic guitars, piano and strings. This alone makes the album Deana's most artistic album to date, even though she tried and failed commerically with this approach on her second and third albums. No longer is there pressure for Deana to conform to the mold of what a female singer in Nashville should be, she has abandoned all restrictions and set herself free. The result is truly phemomenal. The album's song selection is consistently strong, but a few stick out, such as the catchy and sensual album opener, "The Girl You Left Me For" and the current single "One Day At A Time." These are both some of the best songs Deana has ever recorded. As the album continues, Deana delites with the introspective "Ordinary" and the regretful tear jerker, "In A Heartbeat." "Katie" is a fun, breezy tune about a girl who, despite her eccentricities, is beautiful and a perfect vision of love. Hmm, sounds a lot like Deana to me. "Atlanta and Birmingham" is a fantastic song that is somewhat like older country songs in the day when her father, Fred Carter Jr. played. "She's Good For You," written with another fantastic country artist, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, is one of my personal favorites and pushes the creative envelope with the bridge (listen and you'll know what I mean). "Not Another Love Song" and "Sunny Day" are a bit darker and perhaps more reflective of some of the hard times Deana have gone through, but the album wouldn't be the same without them. "Getting Over You" is a midtempo song about getting over a past love, and its catchy tune will stick in your head much like "The Girl You Left Me For." The last track, the title song from the album, is another reflective and introspective look by Deana at her life. It is truly enjoyable and a perfect closing to the album. "The Story Of My Life" is the perfect name for this album, because this is the story of Deana's life, and while it may have its highs and lows, it is beautiful, and is being told by a truly beautiful soul. I met Deana back on the "I'm Just A Girl" tour and she was a truly beautiful person. Her kind soul exuded throughout the time I was with her and I could just tell she truly loved doing what she did. I believe the proof is in the pudding on that subject, as she has stuck it out on her roller-coaster of a career when many others may have called it quits. I am so glad Deana has returned, and I believe this album will indeed catapult her back to the top of the country charts. If it doesn't, it should have. To use a quote from Deana's new album booklet from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." This is so true. Deana's past couple albums may not have done so well commerically, and this one may not either, but it would my dismay and surprise. However, this will not diminish the fact that Deana Carter is one of the finest artists in any genre. She is a talented singer-songwriter who can blend catchy tunes with deep lyrics everyone can relate to. And isn't that what country music is all about? Her voice and unique music have touched my life forever. I don't think I will ever hear "Strawberry Wine" and not be taken back to a nostalgic period of time in my life. But "Strawberry Wine" was just the beginning of Deana's long road, and even with this new album, I believe the road is far from over. All I can say is I am so glad I have been along for the ride. Thank you Deana for all your wonderful albums, especially this one. I hope it takes you to the top again, but if it doesn't, you'll always be number one in my book."

Deana's finest hour

Greg Zimmerman | VA | 07/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you were to ask me several years ago that Kurt Cobain would be referenced in a country music song I would probably say you were crazy. But after listening to Deana Carter's new single, One Day At A Time, the indication was only fitting in its allusion to childhood memories.



In many ways it seems that Deana Carter has already driven past several country music limits and is now on a lengthy road to find her own artistic independence with her music. During the past several years now, Carter has pretty much left behind the Music Row system that not only fostered the breakout success of her 1996 smash, Strawberry Wine, but also fled to Los Angeles where she signed with a somewhat independent label, Vanguard Records in hopes to take full control over her musical direction.



With her new release, The Story Of My Life, already gaining a lot of recognition from her peers. This might just be her most personal album to date. It is an artistic statement that will most likely stand out as one of the greatest country albums of the year.



The album is a pretty private escape then the monster production that can usually plague an album from survival. The simple folk songs and quiet harmonies that this record gives out will only lead you to a gentle truth that resounds in all our lives.



These songs are heartfelt and sincerely autobiographical. The title of this record pretty much says it all. This album is Deana Carter's life put into the rhythms of her own music. From her hippie upbringing to her fellowships with childhood friends, Carter is ingenious at how well she illustrates her musical paintings and captures her own truth about growing up.



She distributes her sorrows and despair with her bellyache opening track, The Girl You Left Me For. It continues to flow from track to track. Her still water folk styling is sampled on the luscious track, Katie. A genuine little story about a liberated girl who enters the world of self-expression. The most noteworthy track on this album in my opinion is, Sunny Day. Its autobiographical references only helps me better understand the importance of being true to yourself.



Deana Carter's unapologetic approach towards this record blows my mind away every time I listen to this album. The Story Of My Life, is an album that seems to capture the beauty of love, grace, compassion, regret, hope and desire. It's something that not to many other albums will attempt to explore. She might had just made the record of her career with this one. This album's splendor will definitely shine on for many years to come."

Amazing!!!

Americana Soul Man | Nashville, TN | 03/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Deana Carter has released a beautiful heart-wrenching record that reflects here struggles and growth over the past couple of years. Now that she is a mommy, I hope she doesn't mellow so much that she loses her edge. This is truly her best work to date. If you like Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Lee Ann Womack, Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton or any other honest strong opinionated southern female artist then you should LOVE this record. This is not your typical Nashville country music album, infact it was recorded in a home in Los Angeles. Although she has traveled many a mile since the start of her career, when you play this album you can almost feel the warmth of the North Louisiana cotton fields of her youth. It is heartbreaking and refreshing at the same time. Honest, sometimes to a fault. BUY THIS RECORD!!!!!"