Amidst the sea of a dime-a-dozen singer/songwriters armed solely with a guitar, it’s easy to begin to hear the same singer singing the same songs. Thank goodness for Edie Carey, a profilic poet with the voice of an angel and lyrics proving she is right alongside all of us on the path of human discovery. On Another Kind of Fire, Carey’s fourth studio album in eight years (she also released an incredible live disc in 2002, Come Close), we are introduced to the darker corners of the Boston native’s mind. From the first track, “Hollywood Ending”, we are thrown into a world of wandering hearts, newfound loves, and just plain old moving through the daily grind. A line like “He was my longest goodbye, my hardest try, my truest lie…” lingers in the mind long after the song ends.

What I love most about this album is its sincerity. This isn’t one of those albums you put on in the background when you’re cleaning the house. These lyrics beg to be heard for their stark simplicity and beauty. Carey puts it all up front; nothing hidden behind symbolism here folks. “Lonely” offers us a haunting dose of that fine line between solitude and loneliness. Even Carey’s voice aches of yearning, revealing her versatility as a singer to encompass both those sultry, low notes as well as the pretty high ones. “Aren’t you lonely when the bars close down…I thought you could hold me.”

“My Heart” is my personal favorite, a catchy confessional about Carey’s ever-changing heart, wild but teasing to be tamed by the right person. “When it comes to me and you, I’m a little bit lazy” Carey unabashedly admits. And for those who are just suckers for a good love song, you won’t be disappointed. “What Love Looks Like” is a touching number about the first intoxication of love. “I know I’m not alone / I’ve got a love to call my own.”

This album is a not-to-be-missed exploration of the human spirit, and Carey is not afraid to pursue the darker side present in all of us. This may be Edie Carey’s bravest work to date. The music is bare and the words are crystal clear. My advice for those who find life just isn’t slowing down any time soon: put on your pjs, make a nice cup of tea, and curl up to Another Kind of Fire.

Visit the official Edie Carey website: ediecarey.com