Ah, the soothing sounds of Caroline Brewer. Her album "A Me-Shaped Hole" has been spinning in my car CD player while I make my morning an evening commute, and I couldn't have a better companion for my ride.

The softness, honesty and heartbreak in Caroline's voice makes you forgot all the stress and troubles of the outside world and brings a sense of peace that can sometimes only be found in a great album.

"A Me-Shaped Hole" kicks off with "Blackbird" co-written by another great Nashville singer-songwriter, Tori Sparks. It's followed by the sweet shuffle of "Let It Go" which features Caroline singing beautiful harmonies with a fellow Music City Unsigned artist, Mason Douglas. As Caroline sings "sometimes things aren't as bad as it seems" you can feel the life she's lived through those words.

As the album progresses, you realize how Caroline has also lived life through music, with influences from other great female singer-songwriters like Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin and Bonnie Raitt, while "Back Of Your Mind" sounds like it could be a big hit for Jewel. The pain and regret of "Walk Away" showcases Caroline's ability to express a great deal of emotion in her vocal delivery with the restraint that many singers lack.

"A Me-Shaped Hole" has a timeless quality to it, and credit there is due to Caroline and her co-producer Daniel Dennis, who never let the production overshadow the song. With its use of accordion, b3, upright bass, lap steel and banjo, the songs on "A Me-Shaped Hole" would feel at home being performed at a quiet coffee shop or the stages of the Grand Ole Opry.

Do yourself a favor. Check out Caroline Brewer and let the soothing sounds of "A Me-Shaped Hole" remove a bit of stress from your life.

-Johnny T

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