Inside the Music Box: Rabbits On the Run

Vanessa Carlton's fourth studio album delivers a vintage charm characterized by analog recording, supplying ethereal echoes throughout the tracks to establish a delicate, dream-like undertone.

Rabbits On the Run has flawlessly blended classical and contemporary elements to create a centrifuge of melodic proportions in the form of sweeping, Victorian-esque violin outros and sun-kissed guitar chords reminiscent to beach side anthems of the 1960's.

Carlton's trademark piano remains as her instrument of choice, lacing together the antique flair of a children's choir and timpani drums. In addition to the intricacy of the record's instrumentation, the song lyrics connote a wistful contemplation that could be easily mistaken as verses of poetry.

The passage of time and the search for life's underlying truth are reoccurring themes vocalized by Carlton's youthful soprano. Clever, endearing metaphors appear on every track, namely "Carousel" and "The Marching Line," where love circles in an endless loop and victims of heartbreak march forward to salvation, respectively.

Rabbits On the Run appeals to fans of both the indie pop sub-genre and Carlton's previous releases. From the cheeky romance of tree swings and rose gardens in "I Don't Want to Be a Bride" to the elegant macabre of witch doctors and graveyards in "Hear the Bells," this record exemplifies the level of musical artistry achieved by Vanessa Carlton.

Notable Lyrics:

"London" - And now I'm staring at the sun/ As if there's a riddle I'm not in on/ 'Cause the wolves howl to a moon/ And she never answers back

"Hear the Bells" - Stealing glances through the keyhole in a brick wall's wooden door/ Chains are keeping quiet secrets on 200-year-old folklore

"Get Good" - Are the echoes coming back to you?/ Is wisdom seeing patterns on a loom?/ Like a blanket around you/ You were weaving colors when I saw you