Balarama Music

Carbon Leaf Countdown #44: Meltdown

Jan 19

Doug2000s carbon leaf 1 Comment

2009′s Nothing Rhymes With Woman pops into the countdown with one of its most energetic songs at #44, “Meltdown!”

Barry Privett’s lyrics are a really good selling point for Carbon Leaf. They’re catchy, deep, unique, and just so darn fun to sing aloud to with the music blaring. This song is no exception to that. “Cause the world keeps turning whether you live or you die/You can go it alone or leave your footprints on some hearts and minds.” Of course, the chorus is really fun too: “Love, it’s in the bones/Love, it’s in the blood/Love, it’s in the skin/But you can’t let it out if you don’t let it in.” The song shows off some strong lyrics & singing and is backed up extremely well by Virginia Beach native Rianna Pellino. Terribly sorry though, but it’s really Carter Gravatt who shines here.

As much as people talk about Barry’s lyrics & singing, I feel a lot of times it’s the guitar work in Carbon Leaf that keeps me coming back. Terry Clark comes up with some immensely clever guitar riffs that almost seems like he read a song Barry wrote and created a riff for it out of thin air. And Carter? Carter Gravatt has to be one of my favorite guitar players going today. Hell, I think in a different setting you could make a case for him being a top guitar player in the music world right now. I’m serious. He gets overlooked skill-wise a lot because he’s on the banjo or the mandolin or doing some super-subtle effect in the background, but the man has chops. Anyone who’s been to a live concert can tell you this. This song is one of those “find out for yourself” or “told you so” moments for this particular argument. The intro sets it off right and just sets the stage for all his fun, loveable, & exciting bluesy runs that basically overflow the song with energy & emotion. Really, the only way Barry was going to keep up with the guitar here was with the addition of Rianna. God, the guitar bit right before the chorus kicks in gets me every single time. I’m all for different types of music, but there’s a reason the electric guitar & music based around it is so exciting. The reason is “Meltdown.” The reason is players like Carter Gravatt.

Song: Meltdown
Album: Nothing Rhymes With Woman
Year: 2009