Brandi Carlile’s “By The Way, I Forgive You”: A Well-Earned Album Of The Year

Brandi Carlile’s “By The Way, I Forgive You” album is an emotionally decisive glance at her stance, influenced by the circumstances of 2016. It was released in February 2018 as her sixth studio album with a cover painting of Scott Avett in it.

The album emphasizes forgiveness and acceptance. Brandi Carlile and her co-composers, the Hanseroth brothers, had all come to a point where makeshifts could no longer match someone’s life. They can work on several things with that; however, they chose to figure out some ways to solely forgive and accept life for being tough. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jake (@vinylbyjake)

RELATED: Brandi Carlile and wife Catherine Shepherd Love Story

While most of Brandi Carlile’s Songs on the album talk about pain and deception, she hovers a role of balance and direction. From start to finish, Carlile appears determined to atone and continue with her life, forgetting all disappointments and eventually allowing those scars to heal. The forgiveness she presents in the record isn’t a passive or superficial step but a compelling and emphatic one. 

Carlile supplies the tracks on ‘By the Way, I Forgive You’ with difficult acceptance and weakened understanding, both of which are interpreted on lead track The Joke,  which pitches everybody who is ridden for their sexual preferences and those who feel unloved. Some songs about separations tend to highlight the direct effect, raging hatred, Carlile (along with the twins) takes on how those emotions can slowly ease up in Every Time I Hear That Song. She interprets how difficult commitment can be in Party of One and labeled it as a ‘delicate masterpiece’ by Rolling Stone. Sugartooth talks about the dangers of addiction, and The Mother about raising a daughter and also conveys unusual home life. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile)

Rolling Stone ranked By the Way, I Forgive You by Brandi Carlile as the 12th best of 2018 on its list of the 50 best albums of 2018, while Entertainment Weekly ranked it as the 11th best album of the year. Kevin Coffey of the Omaha World-Herald and Chris Willman of Variety both considered it as the 2nd best album of the year. 

Brandi Carlile is the only artist nominated for six awards at the 61st GRAMMY Awards and has won Best Americana Album for By The Way, I Forgive You. The album was also nominated at UK Americana Awards 2019 and Americana Musics Honors & Awards for the Album of the year. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tim Teller (@timtellerphotography)

The album’s a bit delicate, though Brandi Carlile’s “By The Way, I Forgive You” is the vital step in a carefully maintained career. Carlile doesn’t owe us an apology.