Cam, and her single "Burning House," has been one of the hottest topics of 2015 in country music, and in music in general. The 31 year old singer-songwriter climbed up the charts with a ballad, and she wasn't established when she did so. That is almost unheard of. But Cam did it. Now that song is nominated for a Grammy and proudly sits at No.1 this week. Untamed is the debut album from this curly haired powerhouse, and it perfectly balances country and pop, while letting her beautiful lyrics speak for themselves.
Born Camaron Ochs, but known just as Cam, she went to college to study psychology. But when her professor told her to do the thing she would regret not doing with her life, Cam made a life-changing decision. For this California raised woman, music was what she had to do. Now, Cam can say that she made the right decision, with a hit song and album, and many more successful years most likely in her future. Can worked with pop producers Tyler Johnson and Jeff Bhasker on Untamed, but they managed to create an album that's more country than most country artists these days that use 'country' producers. The album jumps all over the place influence-wise, but it's all mostly based in country music. Cam grew up listening to Patsy Cline Bonnie Raitt, and Willie Nelson, and her major influence for this record was Eric Church's Chief, which shows on this album. This album isn't Americana or bluegrass, and it certainly doesn't sound like country music from 30 or 40 years ago, but it's contemporary country, and it's not supposed to sound like that. From many country critics, the message is that pop influence is bad, and all pop country music is terrible. I don't think that's the case. I know that's not the case. As long as the artist keeps enough country in the music, and they create good music, it's fine. And Cam creates more than good music on this record.
This record isn't a record you would call completely cohesive, but cohesiveness is overrated. If it's all good music, who cares whether it all fits together? People listen to artists on shuffle for the most part anyway, so as long there is a certain theme or element to the music running throughout all of the tracks, which there is on this record, then there really isn't a problem. Acoustic guitar is prevalent on every track of this record, reminiscent of her rootsy-pop mixtape titled Heartforward that she released back in 2011. It does weave all the tracks together and emphasizes how real Cam strives to be with her music. She's brutally honest in a lot of ways, and on most of the songs on this EP. She doesn't sugarcoat, with the lyrics or the production.
This record isn't a record you would call completely cohesive, but cohesiveness is overrated. If it's all good music, who cares whether it all fits together? People listen to artists on shuffle for the most part anyway, so as long there is a certain theme or element to the music running throughout all of the tracks, which there is on this record, then there really isn't a problem. Acoustic guitar is prevalent on every track of this record, reminiscent of her rootsy-pop mixtape titled Heartforward that she released back in 2011. It does weave all the tracks together and emphasizes how real Cam strives to be with her music. She's brutally honest in a lot of ways, and on most of the songs on this EP. She doesn't sugarcoat, with the lyrics or the production.
The title track, "Untamed" basically has the lyrics of a bro-country song, but the empowering theme and killer production make up for it. It's a perfect opening to the record, establishing Cam's commitment and love for country music. There are prominent pop elements, but the song is driven by country instrumentals, and it's a great example of contemporary country pop. It sounds vaguely like something Dolly Parton would have recorded if she were in on the trends of today.
Upbeat is something Cam does well on this record, but ballads are her calling. This was reflected in the success of her singles, with the uptempo “My Mistake” stalling out before the Top 40, but the biggest ballad of the year, "Burning House" hit No.1 this week. This record had three ballads that stand out the most, her No. 1 hit, "Mayday," and "Village." "Mayday" was the first song that Cam wrote for this project, and is one of the best songs on the whole record. The simple, but pleasing nature of the song is spectacular, and I wouldn't rule it out for a potential next single choice for Cam. "Village" was the hardest song to write for this project, Cam said in a Twitter chat. Written in the perspective of one of her friend's deceased older brother, Cam creates this beautiful imagery of what happens when someone dies. It's a comforting song to anyone who has lost anyone, and the perspective of the song just makes it that much better.
Although Cam shines the most at the emotional tracks, sass comes out strong in "Runaway Train" and "Country Ain't Never Been Pretty." These are the two most country sounding tracks on the record. On the former track, "Runaway Train" as mentioned in my review of Cam's debut EP Welcome to Cam Country, "Cam mixes gospel influences with country rock and dance pop. This is anther song that shows Cam as an artist so well. It is another metaphor, Cam comparing her broken-hearted-self to a runaway track, aiming to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend. It's masterfully produced."
Upbeat is something Cam does well on this record, but ballads are her calling. This was reflected in the success of her singles, with the uptempo “My Mistake” stalling out before the Top 40, but the biggest ballad of the year, "Burning House" hit No.1 this week. This record had three ballads that stand out the most, her No. 1 hit, "Mayday," and "Village." "Mayday" was the first song that Cam wrote for this project, and is one of the best songs on the whole record. The simple, but pleasing nature of the song is spectacular, and I wouldn't rule it out for a potential next single choice for Cam. "Village" was the hardest song to write for this project, Cam said in a Twitter chat. Written in the perspective of one of her friend's deceased older brother, Cam creates this beautiful imagery of what happens when someone dies. It's a comforting song to anyone who has lost anyone, and the perspective of the song just makes it that much better.
Although Cam shines the most at the emotional tracks, sass comes out strong in "Runaway Train" and "Country Ain't Never Been Pretty." These are the two most country sounding tracks on the record. On the former track, "Runaway Train" as mentioned in my review of Cam's debut EP Welcome to Cam Country, "Cam mixes gospel influences with country rock and dance pop. This is anther song that shows Cam as an artist so well. It is another metaphor, Cam comparing her broken-hearted-self to a runaway track, aiming to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend. It's masterfully produced."
"Country Ain't Never Been Pretty" a half sung, half spoken affair, but don't think Sam Hunt. Cam brings out her cheeky and slightly crude side with lyrics like: "It's as easy as it seems / who needs brand name jeans / your man's hands gonna cover the label anyway." The song has clever lyrics and spectacular, and country production, marking it as a standout. It's interesting to speculate who this could be about, but in most likelihood, it's just a fun parody of the picture perfect pop country and pop stars masquerading as country music singers.
From the Dolly Parton sounding “Untamed,” the Zac Brown Band ( circa The Foundation) sound of “Hungover on Heartache” and the pop country sounds of “Want It All” and “My Mistake," Untamed covers almost all possibilities of songs that could be defined country music. Cam opens herself up to various options for the next steps in her career, and shows that she can do literally everything. The name Cam should be synonymous for perfect contemporary country music. Like Maddie & Tae's debut Start Here, Untamed is a masterful mixing of old and new, without being full pop but still having the commercial appeal of pop. It's one of the best contemporary country records of the year.
Best tracks: Mayday, Burning House, Country Ain't Never Been Pretty, Village
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
From the Dolly Parton sounding “Untamed,” the Zac Brown Band ( circa The Foundation) sound of “Hungover on Heartache” and the pop country sounds of “Want It All” and “My Mistake," Untamed covers almost all possibilities of songs that could be defined country music. Cam opens herself up to various options for the next steps in her career, and shows that she can do literally everything. The name Cam should be synonymous for perfect contemporary country music. Like Maddie & Tae's debut Start Here, Untamed is a masterful mixing of old and new, without being full pop but still having the commercial appeal of pop. It's one of the best contemporary country records of the year.
Best tracks: Mayday, Burning House, Country Ain't Never Been Pretty, Village
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
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