Cam - Untamed

Cam
Untamed
2015
Cam - Untamed

Untamed is the debut record from California girl Cam. A girl from California singing country music for a Nashville record label may give some the heebie jeebies but those people probably would not listen to her in the first place. Let's get this out of the way right up top; Her voice is simply perfection. There is not a single crack, blemish or misstep on this entire album. This is not the voice of autotune or techno upgrades, this is pure raw talent and country music is the prefect place to put it on display. The ballads on this record like "Burning House" are really where she shines and sends those chills through your body. "Burning House" was actually nominated for a Grammy and for good reason it is an absolutely stellar song. The next track however "Cold in California" sees the album loose a bit of steam that the first four tracks set up.

What you really take away the most from the album is a sense of opportunity, both seized and missed. With Cam's voice this record could have gone anywhere and done almost anything. "Burning House" and "Runaway Train" are two tracks that are not the norm for country music and the album is better for it, but when she relies on old tropes or tries to play into the mainstream the record suffers. You want her to sing out and try new thing rhythmically because in all honesty she may be one of the only people who can, so when she doesn't it is a disappointment. Putting the release of this album into the black hole that is December is also an odd choice from the label. Untamed is full of sing along songs that you want to belt at the top of your lungs on summer car rides and burying it with a winter release seems like bad business to me. What is clear is this gal has the potential to be one of the greats, and if this is just the start get your ass ready to hear a lot more from Cam.

7 out of 10