Sadly, such is the case with "The Captain," the debut album from Kasey Chambers. Chambers is the offspring of a musical family; the family group, the Dead Ringer Band, is one of Australia's finest country bands (don't laugh), and her father, Bill Chambers, is also part of the duo Bill and Audrey. For her part, Kasey is a terrific songwriter who's blessed with a pretty, girlish voice reminiscent of Julie Miller and Mary Karlzen, with a country twang.

"The Captain" is a wonderful album of mostly upbeat "hard country" that never falls into the retro trap. This is not the nonsense that passes for country in Nashville these days; this is the real deal. An album like "The Captain" would hardly seem so special if Music Row were less interested in such artistically deadening pursuits as repeating a successful musical formula over and over until its worthless (c.f., Shania, Martina, Faith, etc.) and instead focused on making great music.

Strong melodies and creative arrangements are found everywhere on this album. Chambers wrote or co-wrote all twelve of these intelligent and often witty songs, with "Cry Like A Baby," "The Captain," and "We're All Gonna Die Some Day" three of the highlights, but there's really not a weak track here. Chambers sings with personality and spunk throughout.

It almost makes me cry (I won't, though, at least not now) that this fine CD hasn't become a hit, despite being out for over six months. If you love real country music you'll love "The Captain," and if you think hate country, this album may change your mind. Kasey Chambers is clearly a major talent. Here's hoping she gets another chance to record.


Rockabilly Masterpiece from Down Under   February 19, 2002
James Cantrell (Tennessee)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

If the Nashville music scene were not dominated by Yankee businessmen whose focus is on pandering to the mass audience of teeny-boppers and suburban soccer moms,which has them push sugary, poppish drivel like Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Faith Hill, more people would have heard of this album. I caught the title cut on an independent radio station that plays traditional country, country rock, Southern rock, folk rock, bluegrass, and blues. I was bowled over by 'The Captain.' When I got the album, I discovered the title cut to be the weakest among the first 7, and both 'The Hard Way' and 'Don't Go' are each as good as 'The Captain.' There is not a single throwaway on this album. Chambers' lyrics are piercing. The guitar work throughout is sharp, never ostentacious, never cheap. Chambers' voice is an original: plaintive, wailing, keening. She would be ideal to keen over the massacred at Culloden or the corpse of Ned Kelly.


Addictive   August 11, 2001
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Every once in while you buy a CD that you play once, it sounds good you play it again, and then next thing you know, you're playing it three times a day, taping it for friends and wondering when the next album is coming out. the captain is such a CD.

I heard the captain on a Boston radio station, noted the artist's name and ordered the CD from Amazon. I got it on a Monday, its now Friday and I'm at the three times a day stage.

Its more country than rock, but Kasey Chambers is no Faith Hill. She is refreshingly unique. You will not be disappointed.


On an Impulse...A Different Maverick Sound..Very Original   June 6, 2001
Lance G. Rigley (Brisbane, Queensland Australia)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

When this CD was previewed and released in Australia in early 2000,I felt,on impulse,that I should purchase it.I was aware of Kasey Chambers' pedigree and her excellent vocals for the family outfit,the *Dead Ringer Band*,and in particualr the song *Living In The Circle*.When I played this CD the initial production and sound surprised me.There were extremely personal and sparse songs with equally sparse vocals,that I immediately connected with.It was a refreshing change and she was attempting to deliver a country sounding,Lucinda Williams,Shawn Colvin *ish*project aimed at the international market.It was a bit like selling ice to the Eskimoes,selling traditional country to Nashville,but it worked...and it still does!! It was a ground breaking collection from an Australian,that over the last 12 months or so has won every country and mainstream accolade and has placed her at the top of the female contemporary country vocalist tree..and all with her debut effort and at the ripe old age of 22!!!From the title track*The Captain* which is a haunting track that grows on you after every listen,so much so that it appears in the Sopranos* soundtrack,and deservedly so..and gives her richly deserved exposure.She has been on Letterman and has received some fame in the US..and we can only wait for the follow up release.The first 5 or 6 songs are strong and capture her true talents,but unfortunately the CD becomes somewhat cliched from then on.The lyrics are generally pleasing but the striving to sound like American country detracts somewhat from the overall feel of excellence.It is pleasing to say however that the strength of most tracks cover admirably for the lesser ones,and the whole feel of the CD allows the weaker tracks to just slide by. This is a watershed CD for Australian country,and has produced a flood of activity from female country vocalists.The CD has a maverick quality.It is well produced and the vocal variety is excellent.Her Brother and father contribute throughout the songs and her brother produces.this has the confidence of a family effort,a familiarity that produces confidence. I recommend that you purchase this CD and savour the emotion and feel contained.I am eagerly awaiting her next effort. It is in my top 20 CDs of 2000,and she produces a *country* sound that doesnt sell out to Nashville,and is pleasingly distant from the Shania Twains and the faith Hills of this world. 4.5 to 5 stars.


A Country Rock Breath of Fresh Air   October 14, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I caught a quick glimpse of Ms. Chambers on public television clip singing what turned out to be one of the cuts on her "The Captain" CD. Fifteen seconds was enough to catch my ear, and was I ever happy to be channel surfing that evening after buying and listening to the entire CD? If you like real country, country-rock, and western (Emmylou, Lucinda, Patsy, Gram, Steve, Townes, Roseanne, Hank and Hank, Jr., Lynard, Dwight, Willie and Waylon, the Eagles, Michael Martin etc. etc.), and most of the other "country music" stars seem a little too pop, too manufactured, too contrived, and well, downright cold - Buy this album ASAP. You will not be sorry that you did. I cannot believe this gal is Australian, because she nails it in cut after cut. My favorite is "Last Hard Bible" a song worth the price of the entire CD, and there are no losers on it. These artists will never be played on "country music" radio (when was the last time you heard Emmylou?), so when we are lucky enough to find them, let's support them and buy their work. You will not be sorry. This album is a total breath of fresh air from Down Under. Good on you, Kasey! Keep up the great work. Too many American country and country rock stars are only concerned about creating pop music pablum that they can "cross over" with these days and that American "country music"(actually pop music with a little twang) stations will play. Looking forward to your next CD.