This might be the best roots CD that I have listened to this year!

Carlier's dark voice, well defined lyrics, and strong story lines are supported by his superb musicianship.

The instrumental "Manuel's Farewell" leaves you ogling. But soon you realize that Frank has just used it as a prelude for his border song "Underneath the American."

He does not hide from his influences but embraces and molds them to his own musical desires and needs. "The Last Man Standing" is laden with his electric 12 string guitar to give it a Byrds type pop flavor. If Carlier did not write the humorous "I'm going in the Jerry Springer Show" I am sure John Prine would have got around to it.

Some of the outstanding moments of this CD are the performances of Carlier's background singer Carol OQuinn. From the great hooks of "Angels in the Death House" to the vicious rocker "White Trash" she beautifully adds a Emmy- Lou Harris type quality to counter Carlier's rough and whisky soaked vocals.

The beautiful piano and guitar work on "Julia Painted" and the hard edged outtro of Blue Moon of Kentucky on "Old Crow" are just some more of the high lights that makes "Americana 101" the perfect title for this CD for it is pure Americana.

It has everything that you could wish for.
                     -Alternative Country Magazine Review

“Americana 101" is bound to hit everyone between both eyes, like a sawed off shotgun shell full of irony pellets.
Fernando Revis, Composer, Grammy Award Winner,
Freelance Journalist.

A great dark story telling voice, strong lyrics with a very rootsy and diverse sound. Just amazing...one of the greatest discoveries of the year. I just hope more music lovers discover him.
Ray Pieters - Belgium Radio.

A real musical personality. Michel Penard - ISA Radio France.

The song writing has a depth of a life fully lived and realized, and a wickedly delicious sense of humor. Carol O'Quinn's vocal harmonies are wonderful. Emmylouesque yes, but better suited to Frank's songs. And the music is so delicate in places against the harsh realism of some of the lyrics. Kevin Sullivan - FM Dublin.

Carlier's music is the kind that plants its heels hard into the earth and digs, the kind that takes a troubled story and twines it around a handful of eager, carefully honed instruments like a flowering vine twisted among barbed wire. His voice is sandy and his picking is hypnotic, and the music it all makes together is something rooted in dirt and in the muscle. Music that is carefully put together and deeply exhaled. Music with stories and a craft behind it. Marc Schultz - Charleston City Paper.

A very fine talent. Not only as a multi-instrumentalist but also as a singer-songwriter in the great American tradition of contemporary folk (but with some good country and blues connections also). Massimo Ferro - Radio Italy.

"Americana 101" met my most favorable review. In the spirit of the baseball playoffs...it sure popped the mit of my mind with a full complement of fastball's, wicked curves and a Jerry Springer knuckleball. Super Good!
Eddie Russell DJ
Country Eastern West.

Frank's songs are extremely unique within the Americana genre...warm songs...like movies...with big scores...visual...timeless...excellent and brilliant! "Americana 101" is "crossing all borders" to people who just like good in depth music!!! Just like in any genre there is too much "it sounds all the same material" in the Americana genre. This is different!
Lord Litter Dittmar

An interesting CD. I don't think Frank is as "White Trashy" as he likes to picture himself, just more in tune to the realities of a world in which the working class is the oppressed underclass. I think it is great. It is one of those albums where several songs are on the edge which I like...it might offend some people...which is probably a good thing.
Bill Wagman, KDVS Radio, Davis, California.

Again Frank has made a masterpiece in Americana 101. I love his earlier releases "Born Again, and "Hellbound" and this one is a winner too with its sharp lyrics and strong singing and playing. I really hope that the slicker production will help take him from cult status to stardom. Well, at least in the American Roots/Americana community.
Theo Oldenburg, "Alternative Country Cooking", Radio Netherlands.

In short, I just don't love it, I adore it. It really blew me away. His best to date, by a stretch. Mature, dare I suggest, like a fine wine. Truly fine.
Kevin Sullivan, FM Dublin.

What a great album! To my ears the best independent record of 2006.
Thomas Kaldijk, Radio Parkstad Holland.

This CD is a real pleasure. First visually (with a beautiful cover and booklet)and then both vocally and instrumentally. Frank has a rare talent for writing songs with catchy melodies, a very good sound, and excellent vocals. Really perfect.
Mike Penard, DJ[France] and FAR Reporter.

Hell of a job!
Roel Stabler, DJ Havenstad FM.

After several listens of "Americana 101" I keep finding new angles and twists in each new listen. Frank is a gifted songwriter. There are no middle of the road songs. All in a perfect listening order. It is a stretch to describe or judge "Americana 101". It is excellent each time I hear it. Great album, great lyrics, and a great artist...Frank is going to have his share of airplay for sure.
Lars G. Limberg, MCWC Radio Sweden

"Americana 101" is Frank Carlier's third solo album and is immediately out the door one of the best independent albums of the year. This singer/songwriter and self-professed Hillbilly from West Virginia has no need of a record contract or label. He sends his CDs to stations around the world where they are highly valued. His colleagues in song writing are the likes of Tom Waits, John Prine and Randy Newman. He writes about the ordinary man. He wails upon the injustice of society and the incompetence of government. His disc contains 13 songs that run the gamut of folk, alternative country, Tex-Mex, and roots rock. The first cut is an electric guitar laden song entitled "White Trash" which is reminiscent of Newil Young and Crazy Horse. The rest of the CD is acoustically charged. "Angels in the Death House" is an emotional song where Carlier puts himself in the place of a prisoner on death row. "Old Red" is a beautiful number where he declares his love for his favorite car that has run its last mile. "Underneath the American Dream" addresses the plight of the anonymous hard worders who remain invisible outside the so called American dream. With its beautful melody lines it is a CD with no weak spots. He reminds me of the powerful songsmith Fred Eaglesmith who also chooses to stay from the mainstream and writes about the edgy subjects that are often passed over by other songwriters for fear of unpopularity by the masses. Frank Carlier has delivered a hell of a disc with "Americana 101".
Tomas Kaldijk - DJ Holland.

The debut CD of Frank Carlier "Born Again" [1999] was a real eye opener for folk rock lovers. He approached his song writing as if he were parenting a child. This was my first acquaintance for me with the so called Wild Man "Hillbilly" from West Virginia.

I then discovered that this was really his second release for as leader of the primarily instrumental band "The Blue Wave" he released "Night Breed" in 1995. It was laden with Celtic, Folk, Jazz and blows back to hot picking Blue Grass. He penned most of the original material but with only a few well written vocals.

Then doing a 180 degree shift Carlier created a new perspective and direction for "Alternative Country" and "Americana Roots" music when he took the musical helm on "Born Again."

In 2003 Carlier then reinvents himself once again as a nicer and more sensitive singer/songwriter in his most amazing pleasant & beautiful sounding CD entitled "Hellbound." Carlier becomes more of a modern day folk singer borrowing from other musical genres of "Tex-Mex, Calypso, Blues, and even Dixie Land Jazz" to get his musical points of view across.

Carlier takes off the gloves so to speak on his third solo CD "Americana 101" It is the best of the best. The opening number "White Trash" is a beauty of a rocker that gets the CD off to a great start.

Over the twelve song on the CD Carlier presents musically his observances of the world around him. From his wicked hooks on "Angels in the Death House" where he sings of the remorse of a condemned man to his border song "Underneath the American Dream" where he describes the perils of an illegal from perspectives so realistic you almost can see the cell and smell the sweat of the labor of his characters he created.

He writes of the beauty of life and the beauty of memory. "Julia Painted" is a perfect example of this. His guitar playing is also a thing of beauty.

But he also quite bluntly and freely points out the injustice of the world around us. And Frank serves it up straight with no chaser. His refrain on "Blue Moon of Kentucky" on the end of his song "Old Crow" is exceptional and impressive and one of the many high points of this CD.

Not yet convinced? Put it this way.....

"Americana 101" is mandatory. "Americana 101" is down right glorious. "Americana 101" is the most impressive Americana CD of the year. "Americana 101" is an American classic.

Roots Time Magazine Review

Music comes first to me. I normally don't listen to the words.
But Frank lyrics are very strong and that goes well with his good music.

Hans Hanegraaf

American Music Radio Shows

Hailing from West Virginia, Frank Carlier is a man on a musical mission! This new album is best described as "Modern Folk" or "Edgy Country", a hint of hillbilly rocknroll...definitely real "Americana".
Overflow Radio

Indeed it is very hard to define Frank Carlier as a songwriter or as a musician. And he seems to be the type of creative character who enjoys making himself difficult to describe.

In his opening track "White Trash" he comes off as a true country super star. But his hook on "Angels in the Death House" he seems to be more of musical rebel.

He becomes a mixture reminiscent of Steve Earl, Tom Russell, Joe Ely and John Prine. His song "Old Red" sounds like a cross between Tom Pacheco and Guy Clark.

Maybe it is easier to define Carlier as more of a poet then singer/songwriter and musician for his music is sheer poetry.

One thing for sure this artist has no compromises. And you really can't award him stars on reviews for his music cannot be outweighed with stars let alone with words.

Unfortunately that does not apply to Frank's sparse website. Maybe he is trying to forever be the mystery.

   European Web Magazine Review

Frank Carlier has struck again and how!

I was already heavily impressed by his former work on his CDs "Born Again" and "Hellbound." His new CD however is his yet a stronger and heavier musical experience. Even knowing his writing capabilities I would have never expected what he has created with "Americana 101." This is pure story orientated song/writing at its best.

It is as if each song is a short story. Then when each individual song combines with the other songs the CD becomes a novel. The instruments are like a sound track to that novel making it like a film scenario. And this CD novel and film scenario has balls.

He sketches a realistic but not always so fine image of American society. Various characters pass his review. Listen to "Underneath the American Dream" "Old Crow [was like a hero to me]" "Angels in the Death House" and "Burden of the Red White and Blue" and you will meet his characters. Those who live on the edge of society, outcast, outlaws, Mexicans, Navajo, poor boys who without hope who are enticed in the Army to lay down their lives. All of those missing the so called "American Dream."

His songs cover everything from injustice, executions and the incompetence of the American government in war in Afghanistan. But "Americana 101" is not all doom and gloom.

In "Old Red" he sings praises for the love of his car and "I'm going on the Jerry Springer Show" is plainly hilarious. "Julia Painted" and "Father's Day" reach right for your heart.

All of the musicians surrounding him seem to be of the highest caliber. They are able to jump from country, to country rock, to American folk, to roots rock, country gospel to even border town music following Carlier on his musical pilgrimage.

But I must certainly mention his back ground singer Carol OQuinn. The pure beauty of her voice mixes with perfection with Carlier's.

I have always been a fan of songwriters that have something to say. I hope to hear Frank perform one day and meet with him. For I have the same respect for him as I do John Prine, David Olney and Fred Eaglesmith.

                Mazzmusikas [Magazine Review]

When I opened this CD I was immediately impressed with the artwork of its packaging. It goes perfectly with the soulfulness of the music it contains.

With his new CD "Americana 101" Frank Carlier has become the new spokesperson for the white working class of the South.

The province southerner with roots in West Virginia writes songs about the "common people" that are so often over looked. His songs and his characters he has created [or chose to write about] has "Americana 101" taking on a somewhat theme type quality. It is reminds me of the work of John Benefit and James Talley.

This troubadour turned folk singer addresses the wrongness of world and the failure of American politics. But the victims of his songs somehow become "beautiful losers" in his song writing process.

His musical back drop is stubbornly bound to the diagram of a country rock sound. He goes about his dark musical task for the most part in solitude taking on the duties of guitars, bass, mandolin, lap steel, banjo, vihuela, harmonica, and even electric sitar.

As with his former releases "Born Again" and "Hellbound" he surrounds himself with a small combo. The piano work of Fernando Rivas is particularly outstanding. Since his previous CDs Carlier has grown as a musician. But Carlier as well as his talented combo seem to have the knowledge not over ride the true power of the music and that is Carlier's lyrics.

His opening cut "White Trash" defines he and "his people" in a scornful and ironic manner but still with a sense of pride. Then the CD yields to a series of acoustic ballads with a lower volume to leave space for his words in his songs "Angels in the Death" "Underneath the American Dream" the questionable marginal character [or lack of character] of the hero in "Old Crow" and "Julia Painted."

He then brings up the volume again in "Last Man Standing" [nothing to do with Jerry Lee Lewis] but the bitter reflections on the passing of time. It is accompanied by his rootys mandolin and crystal clear guitar playing.

But that does not take away from the heart of "Americana 101" which is Carlier's painting of tragic figures. The folk sounding "Father's Day" pertaining to the death of a child is heart breaking.

But out of all the songs of Carlier's "vision" of America unequivocally in the inclusion of "The Burden of the Red White and Blue" stands out the most. With lyrics like:

           "And ever night the news is just the same
              They show the numbers of the losses
        Not the faces or the names
            But no politicians daughter nor son of a Congress Man
           Will shed a drop of blood on the sand"

     He takes popular song writing to the noblest sense of the limit
  Outsiders Magazine Fabio Cerbone



 

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CONTACT
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EMAIL FRANK or 843-343-5333