Untamed: Cam Album Review

Untamed may be the most anticipated debut LP for me in a long time. On the strength of her Welcome To Cam Country EP, and the powerhouse single, Burning House, Cam had me counting down the days to December 11.

Not to spoil anything, but I’m not disappointed at all.

Untamed features 7 new tracks to go with 4 holdovers from the EP for a solid 11 song offering that satisfies, while still making me wish for just 1 or 2 more…

Cam: Untitled track listing

1. Untamed
2. Hungover On Heartache
3. Mayday
4. Burning House*
5. Cold In California
6. My Mistake*
7. Runaway Train*
8. Half Broke Heart*
9. Want It All
10. Country Ain’t Never Been Pretty
11. Village

*tracks marked originally released on Welcome To Cam Country EP

The 31 year old California native is credited as a co-writer on all of the album’s tracks, showing that Camaron Ochs is more than just a talented voice and awesome hair. From top to bottom the entire Untamed album transitions from upbeat songs like My Mistake, Want It All, and the title track, to songs dripping with sweetness, sadness, love, and heartache.

If there’s any comparison I would feel comfortable making here, it would be to Miranda Lambert. Not in a copycat way, but in a “she belongs in the same league and is playing with the same skill set” way.

Note: I know I’m not the only one excited for Canadian tour dates to come, including Boots & Hearts in August, 2016.

Tracks like Burning House, Village, and Cold In California stand out as impressive, as is the choice to slow things down so drastically and fearlessly on the album. The current country climate has called for and celebrated upbeat radio hits from the women of Nashville, and while Village and Cold In California may not be released as singles like Burning House, they very much are capable of standing on their own and connecting with listeners.

Cam also goes out of her way to put the country in her country music with songs like Untamed and Country Ain’t Never Been Pretty. The lyrics are cute, but tell real stories about growing up and living outside of the bright lights of the city. She has definitely earned her @camcountry Twitter handle.

You hear the rooster crow at the crack of dawn
And you’ve already been at it for hours
You’re thankful there’s no cameras, cause you make an awful face
That first sit in the cold tractor seat just can’t be done with grace – Country Ain’t Never Been Pretty

From 1 to 11, Untamed is more than worth the listen. It’s already found itself on a number of “Country Album of the Year” lists, and while I won’t be writing one of those lists, I agree. And even now I can tell you that Cam is very likely to spend a lot of 2016 on my playlists with a number of these songs.

If you haven’t already grabbed the record on iTunes, Google Play, or your favourite record store, it’s there waiting for you.

You won’t be disappointed.

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Joshua Murray

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