Throughout the four seasons of ABC’s music-savvy show “Nashville”, Chris Carmack’s character Will Lexington has had success with several fan-favorite hits on its soundtracks, and his real-life five-track debut EP, Pieces of You, is no different as Carmack confirms that he has the talent to make it as a genuine artist instead of just playing one on television.
Perhaps the biggest quality Carmack has in common with his TV persona Lexington is that he too is a great songwriter. The lyrics ooze with raw emotion which is pleasant to hear (being something that’s been absent in music as of late, generally speaking). The EP wastes no time showcasing his writing skills with the first track “Being Alone,” a deep song about the challenges of being alone, physically and mentally. In the chorus, Carmack has a chance to show off his vocals as they get build up in intensity, expressing a frustration that is also reflected in the lyrics:
I have tried temptation, someone to have and to hold
I’ve tried medication, to fill the void in my soul
I’ve tried contemplation, I thought I could think myself home
But there’s nothing free about being alone
The title track, “Pieces of You,” is written from the perspective of a man who’s going through his home (both literally as well as the memories in his mind) after the end of a relationship, noticing all the little reminders that his ex has left behind – from a sugar container on the table to sheets on the bed. Starting off with simple, delicate guitar, Carmack joins in with his solemn vocals, making it very easy for the listener to visualize and feel what he’s experiencing through the song’s mood and lyrics:
The holes in the wall behind the picture that you hung / The one with our mouths gaping open wide, frozen in a song unsung / Tell their own sad story of time, something I held that was Never mine / And I can’t bring myself to patch them up / Sugars on the counter ‘cause you took your coffee sweet / Carpets on the floor ‘cause you hate the feeling of the cold against your feet / In my bed, you’re not there / I smell a faded memory of your hair / and I can’t bring myself to wash the sheets
In addition to the brilliant songwriting throughout Pieces of You, there is a consistent jazz-blues-soul feel. “Can’t Do It Again,” “What Has Changed” and “Always Mine” are perhaps the heaviest influenced by those genres as they feature many wonderful electric guitar pieces weaving through each track. They also give Carmack an opportunity to flaunt his guitar skills. If Pieces of You is any inkling to what Carmack is capable of, his first full-length album should be nothing short of amazing.
Pieces of You will be released on Friday, December 11 on all outlets.