ALBUM REVIEW/ HIGH HEELS & HEAVY THINGS - CARRIE WELLING PORTRAYS THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF LIFE WITH DEBUT ALBUM

Carrie Welling is an Americana artist from Nashville who just released her debut album High Heels and Heavy Things on September 18th.  It is a mix of country, pop, americana, and other sounds.  Having so many sounds one one record can be confusing, but Carrie manages to combine them into a cohesive, incredible, work.  This comes after her EP released back in 2015.

Most of the record was produced by Eric Holljes, with the exception of the title track produced by Alex Wong.  Gabriel Klein, Gideon Klein, Eric Holljes, Alex Wong and Brianna Sage, among others, lend their talents to back Carrie on these tracks. 

The first track out of the gate is Settle Me Down.  This uptempo and catchy tune talks about not needing someone to settle down with.  Who says every girl needs to settle down right away?  The drum beats are strong and rhythmic in this one.  That leads off the beginning of the album.  Right into the title track High Heels and Heavy Things.  Such a melodic song.  The dobro in the instrumentals gives it another unique layer to the sound. 

Once track nine comes around, the emotions come spilling out.  With her Beautiful voice and the heavenly piano skills of Eric Holljes (Delta Rae), this song tugs at the heartstrings.  Telling that person that you want more than just being friends is a scary thing.  I Don’t Want To Be Friends With You is that message full of love, longing and heartache.  She sings this with a tenderness to her voice that isn’t found in most music today.  Hurry Up And Heal joins in with the longing for that person she can’t have.  

To contrast the emotional tracks, Carrie throws in songs like Money.  Money is one of those songs that you can play driving down the open road in a convertible. It is all about having a good time and not being a slave to money.  Brianna Sage joined Carrie on this one, creating powerful harmonies.  

Adding to the depths on the record, the six-piece band Delta Rae joined her on Stand-Ins.  This track comes with goosebumps.  The backing vocals bring out something special in Carrie’s voice; a raw intensity that can get under your skin.  When the bridge starts; the layers in this song begin to build.  Backing vocals and harmony, building crescendo and strength in Carrie’s voice combine to explode in our ears. 

If you’re looking for an empowerment song, then look no further than Good To Me.  The melody in this song lends itself to swaying in the audience.  While the music may not be hard hitting, the power lies in the lyrics.  When she sings that “finally, I’m going to be good to me” it gives validation to the feeling of putting yourself first and following your dreams.  

A few of the beginning tracks are slower and emotional.  The album takes listeners on a journey.  From heartbroken, to self-serving, to defiant, and everywhere in between.  The highs and lows of life are portrayed in Carrie’s powerful and emotive voice.

Another interesting aspect of this album is the list of Executive Producers.  Carrie uses the Patreon platform to connect with her fans.  Since the pandemic has come and canceled any tour plans, the money raised from this went to help fund her album.  Her Patrons, and fans, are credited as Executive producers on the album.  That is a sweet bond her fans will have to this album.  

CONNECT WITH CARRIE :

www.carriewelling.com
https://www.facebook.com/carriewellingmusic
https://www.patreon.com/carriewelling/posts
https://www.instagram.com/carriewellingmusic/

Written by Amanda Epstein :
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Amanda is an avid music lover and supports independent artists in various genres. She writes for music publications in her spare time to share her love of music with the world, as well as learning to be a musician herself. She believes that music has to be experienced and not just heard. 
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