| The Age of Miracles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 27, 2010 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 50:12 | |||
| Label | Zoë | |||
| Producer | Mary Chapin Carpenter Matt Rollings | |||
| Mary Chapin Carpenter chronology | ||||
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The Age of Miracles is the 11th studio album by American singer-songwriterMary Chapin Carpenter, released on April 27, 2010 byZoë Records, her third album released under the Zoë label.
Produced by Carpenter andMatt Rollings, the album peaked at No. 6 onBillboard'sCountry Albums chart and No. 28 on theBillboard 200.
The Age of Miracles consists of twelve tracks of new material, all of which were written solely by Mary Chapin Carpenter.[1] In an interview, Carpenter explained the album's thematic significance. She commented that the album's title track reflects onHurricane Katrina and its aftermath, while the album's seventh track ("Mrs. Hemingway") is about the first wife of authorErnest Hemingway. She also mentioned that the fifth track "4 June 1989" explains theTiananmen Square Massacre and its remembrance by Chinese activist Chen Gueng.[2]
The album is generally considered to feature a mix of styles. Cody Miller ofPopMatters found thatThe Age of Miracles contained mainly a mixture of "uptempo numbers and mournful ballads," and that the release was "classic MCC: sober, insightful, whimsical, and beautiful." However, in contrast, Jonathan Keefe ofSlant Magazine commented that the album's production never strays too far from the "pedestrian, coffeehouse blend of hushed acoustic strumming."[3] The album reflects its country roots, withVince Gill andAlison Krauss performingbackground vocals on several songs. However, other tracks, such as the ninth song "What You Look For," sound "electric" according toEngine 145 magazine.[2]
Thematically, tracks onThe Age of Miracles sound more emotional, according toPopMatters, who described "The Way I Feel" as having "plenty of room to relive the frustration she displayed so measured and matured on “Passionate Kisses”." In addition, the track "Iceland" uses metaphors to explain the song's thesis.[4]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | (63/100)[5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Billboard | (favorable)[7] |
| The Boston Globe | (average)[8] |
| Paste | (3.6/10)[9] |
| The Phoenix |  [10] |
| PopMatters | [4] |
| Q | [5] |
| Slant Magazine | [3] |
| Engine 145 | [2] |
| Under the Radar | [5] |
The Age of Miracles mainly received positive reviews from music critics and magazines. OnMetacritic, it has been given a score of 63 out of 100 based on 9 "generally favorable reviews".[5] Mark Deming ofAllMusic gave the release four out of five stars, calling the album "literate and thoughtful." Deming later concluded "Mary Chapin Carpenter doesn't sound especially concerned with how much product she'll move onThe Age of Miracles; instead, she's made an album that speaks with honesty and clarity about the mysteries of love and fate, and she communicates well enough that it's hard to imagine anyone who has ever thought about the ways life can turn on a dime not being moved by the beauty of this music."[6] Engine 145's Jim Caligiuri gave the album three and a half out of five stars, finding that the effort had a "distinct point of view" but was too outspoken and "Folksie." Caligiuri later concluded by saying "Hot young country, or whatever they’re calling it these days, it’s not – but those seeking something with meaning and artistry will find a lot to appreciate inThe Age Of Miracles."[2]
The Age of Miracles was also reviewed by Jonathan Keefe ofSlant Magazine, who only gave the album two out of five stars. Keefe found that although the album was inspired by current events, the material seemed to feel "dull" and "lifeless." Keefe explained his reasoning, saying "Carpenter's early albums balanced her folkier tendencies with inspired elements of contemporary country and pop. But onMiracles, she and co-producerMatt Rollings rarely stray from a pedestrian, coffeehouse blend of hushed acoustic strumming. Songs like 'We Traveled So Far,' 'I Was a Bird,' and 'I Have a Need for Solitude' run together as though afraid to impose themselves, resulting in an album that seems a great deal longer than it really is."[3] Finally, the album was reviewed byPopMatters' Cody Miller, who gave the release a six out of ten rating. Miller reported that "The Age Of Miracles confirms once again (not that it was ever in question) that Carpenter is a strong songwriter and a seasoned singer. For every singleSugarland,Lady Antebellum, orSwift rackup, Carpenter should be thanked."[4]
All songs composed by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Amazon exclusive bonus track
iTunes exclusive bonus track
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard 200[11] | 28 |
| USTop Country Albums (Billboard)[12] | 6 |
| USAmericana/Folk Albums (Billboard)[13] | 1 |
