Tales of the Aftermath
By Jack St. Clair
Tales of the Aftermath is the 4th studio album from Courtney Chambers. True to its title, the album, for the most part, focuses thematically on coming out of a negative relationship, regrouping and then learning to open one’s self up again to find love.
This is Chamber’s fourth studio album, the last of which was 2007’s Bigger and Brighter. Like that record, she has teamed up again with producer Sean Hoffman (American Music Club). Hoffman also lends his talents as a musician on the record playing bass, guitar and doing programming. Also performing on the album are Joey Galvan and George Stuppick on the drums. Chambers performs rhythm and lead guitars, piano and keyboards. The album is a ten track collection of wonderfully written adult contemporary songs, complete with memorable melodies and tasteful musicianship.
Chamber’s is a proven performer who has been playing consistently from the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles for over a decade. Live, she is the real deal. She is an outstanding guitar player (she also plays the Nancy Wilson role in the Heart cover band Dog and Butterfly – and that is no easy task). Beyond that ability, this album highlights her skill to craft beautiful and thoughtful songs with deep meaning.
In this writer’s opinion her best attribute is her voice; strong, soft, sultry, powerful and sweet. She could probably sing you the phone book (remember such things), and you would listen. It would be easy to pick any number of familiar female vocalists and compare her to them. And that is the best part. She doesn’t remind you of any one person. Throughout the album she reminds you of many. As if she has a chameleon like quality that adapts appropriately for each song, while at the same time leaving her own stamp on each song that lets you identify HER voice.
Tales of the Aftermath contains quite a few standout tracks. The opener “Fool in Me” is equal bits blues and soul, stripped down with a fantastic, almost spoken word bridge.
It is followed by the albums’ most rocking track, “Bitter End”. A song that addresses the important issue of someone being in an abusive relationship. The chorus faces this head on, stating: “I’m a bit angry/ And I’m gonna be hard and now I know/ I’m not giving up my soul and I’ll defend it/ Till the bitter end.” It’s an anthem for anyone, female or male, to defend who they are, while faced with someone that demands them to be something or someone else other than who they are. There are several moments it seems the song will explode, yet Chambers pulls back the reins, letting the subtly have more of an impact.
“Love and Music” contains some of the most poignant lyrics on the record, as Chambers weighs being in love with a person versus being in the love with music. Ultimately concluding – correctly – that the songs she makes will never hurt her, while love from a human being will always include the risk of pain.
Of all the tracks on the record, “Extraordinary Lives” is the most easily identifiable. It reminds the listener of a Fleetwood Mac song. This is not a negative at all. It is a great song. Complete in lyric and composition, leaving you wishing it was even longer.
“Wasting Time” starts off strong with a stomp/clap that gets you going. Perhaps it is the only track where the subtly that is beneficial to rest of the record could have been thrown out. The beginning leaves you wishing that it would explode to a full blown rocker.
All in all it is a very good record. Definitely worth your listen. But more than that, as someone who has seen her live, worth your time to see her perform live. And while you are there, pick up a copy of Tales of the Aftermath. You’ll be glad you did.
