Carter Hulsey – Drive Out
Review by Jessica Klinner
It’s been quite some time since Carter Hulsey released any new music. Four years to be exact, unless you count 2011’s What You Carry, an album released under the name The Carter Hulsey Band. Regardless, it’s been a while since Hulsey has graced the world with his soulful acoustic folk. After heading into the studio with Ace Enders (The Early November, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business), Hulsey left with a masterpiece waiting to be heard. Drive Out sounds more laid back and organic than previous releases. The singer/songwriter from Joplin, Missouri, stretches his vocal talents above and beyond what he’s ever done before. The storytelling and imagery presented in this album is a small example of what makes Hulsey’s music stand out among other artists. At first listen, the album sounds slow and repetitive, but after listening to it over and over, the songs begin to dissect themselves into musical masterpieces. Drive Out proves that simplicity in music production can go a long way and create a more intimate, emotional experience for listeners.
The opening track, “NPR,” starts off soft with only guitar, piano and vocals, but picks up in the chorus once the drum kicks in. The most exciting part of the song comes at the end in the form of a good old-fashioned backwoods revival. “Drive Out With the Lights Out” showcases Hulsey’s incredible vocal range. Every note is delivered with such strong emotion and conviction. At the beginning of “Making Napalm,” voices are heard making comments in the background. It gives the song a very down-to-earth and organic vibe. This element allows listeners to step inside the studio with Hulsey and Enders to experience the song as if they were sitting in the same room. The final track, “Long Black Veil,” is by far the most organic song featured on the album. The muffled guitar against Hulsey’s vocals presents a haunting sound. This song really captures the essence of Hulsey’s live performance. His signature style of playing guitar also stands out in this song more so than any other track on the album. Even though it may be planned, it seems that Hulsey gets caught up in the music, allowing the intensity of his voice and guitar to vary depending on the height of his emotions.
Overall, Drive Out exemplifies Hulsey’s talent as a singer/songwriter. The album is more soulful and heartfelt than previous releases and grants listeners a chance to really feel the emotion and heart put into creating the album. There is a certain intimacy and authenticity contained in each song that makes listeners feel like they’re sitting in the same room as Hulsey. By far, this is the best release from the soulful singer/songwriter to date. It drastically differs from his other releases, but in the best possible way. It’s a step in a new direction and places Hulsey among the likes of Ryan Adams and Sufjan Stevens. Sometimes all it takes to make a great album is a guitar and a voice, and Hulsey is living proof.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Drive Out With The Lights Out,” “Making Napalm,” and “Long Black Veil”
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