Carly Simon - The Bedroom Tapes

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Music reviews of The Bedroom Tapes

Music Review: Nobody does it better....
Rating: 5 Stars

"Our Affair" opens with a beautiful melodic line which seamlessly flows into a blues based groove. The song is filled with that classic feeling that only Carly can convey. Her voice is strong and engaging, her lyric engrossing. This song gets the album moving with class.

"So Many Stars" has a great melancholy. It's the kind of song that initially perks your interest lightly but soon becomes infectious and locked in your brain. With each listen it grows and grows until you realize how brilliant this song is. The melody is beautiful and is married to the lyric with a clever touch. This is Carly at her best.

"Big Dumb Guy" is interesting. It effectively captures the chaos and nonsensical nature of a typical Internet chat room. Carly has a great time with word-play using "computer" terms and chat room references throughout the lyric. As the track trails off at the end, it sounds as though she was caught by surprise at the sudden ending to the track while she is still working the melody.

"Scar" is fantastic. It is perhaps the finest track on the album. It is a supreme example of musical competence. The melody is wonderful the lyric perfect. Carly's recent fight with breast cancer is the primary focus of the song. This song could have easily belonged to the "Boys in the Trees" album. It has the same touch and overall quality. For the naysayers that believe Carly is not producing the same quality music as her previous works, I say you haven't listened to this song. It is simply a masterpiece.

"Cross the River" is a nice trip. It takes you along on a series of different musical palates. It tends to a bit pandering with its delivery. It has smaller moments that come through, "...chin is up, I miss you all so much" and the chorus has a great hook. Unfortunately, I find myself growing a little weary halfway through the song and longing for it to move on to the end.

"I Forget" has an interesting relative feel to Carly's work on "Letters Never Sent". As always, Carly's melodic quality shines and carries you along. I love the easy going feel almost "tired" feel to this song. Its feel expresses the lyric extremely well. It's the track on the album that you "forget" (no pun intended) and then when it comes around on the next listen, you say to yourself, "Oh yea, I LOVE this one".

"Actress" builds from beginning to end. It's a wistful track filled with interesting wordplay. This one takes a while to grow on you, but shows itself to be a solid piece. I see it as "filler" and just don't feel that it is as memorable as the other works presented on this collection.

"I'm Really The Kind" grabs you and doesn't let go all the way. Endlessly warm, instantly engaging. When Carly hits that nerve she does it with controlled intensity. I love the conflict of ideals the lyric poses and the realization that appears at the end. Musically, this isn't new territory, but it is one of the most fulfilling musical places that you can go, thanks to Carly Simon.

"We Your Dearest Friends" hits you like a ton of bricks and holds you to that hum. It's icy and self-depreciating. Every time I hear it, the chills run my spine. There is a raw sincerity in Carly's voice that leaves no doubt that her lyrics are heartfelt. This is one of those songs that, as a songwriter myself, I wish so badly I had written. The lyric and melody fit perfectly. I couldn't help but relate personally, albeit remotely, to the lyric in this song. It's brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. My inner core gets frosty when I hear it and I feel it completely.

"Whatever Became Of Her" is great. It has a nice "southern country" feel throughout the song. The feel of this song is no doubt brought on by the use of violins over the melody in the chorus. The lyrics tell a beautiful story of a life and love relationship apparently gone awry. I see this as the redeemed version of "Cross the River". A well structured song that has all the right elements.

"In Honor Of You (George)" is in homage to George Gershwin. This track is really weak in my opinion. It doesn't have a particularly great vocal and the lyric is mundane. Not the way I would like the album to end but, when the player rolls back around to track one... I'm off and gone again. :)

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