Leerone - Imaginary Biographies

Once in a while an artist comes along that really takes me aback. I hear an awful lot of music, and there's a lot that I like and a lot that I don't like, but it's rare that I come across a true musical treasure like Los Angeles' Leerone. We live in the generation of the truly inspired female artist, as has been noticed in the likes and popularity of Feist and others. But Leerone is different in that she serves up something very fresh and vibrant to the table, not unlike what Kate Bush accomplished back in the late 70's .

Although my introduction to Leerone dates back to approximately a couple of weeks ago, her latest album Imaginary Biographies is actually her third release. It definitely presents me with a strong reason to delve into her earlier works. Leerone wrote all of the compositions herself. She sings and plays many of the instruments , and she also took the time to direct the other musicians in order to achieve her unique vision. She's a stickler for detail, and this fussiness has paid off in producing an album that is adventurous, original and a true artistic triumph. It opens with Fill The Void, which is a sneaky opener in the sense that it'll lead you to believe that Leerone is just another better-than-average girl singer with piano who has a gift for pop sensibility. By song two, you realize that she is actually so much more. Happy + Homemade = contains a poetic lyricism that is both whimsical and natural, with a subdued vocal that'll go right through you. Junk/Piece Of Mind is like two songs for the price of one; the first one expressing an individual's lack of desire to conform to the plastic standards of society, and the second one showing more of a vulnerability and a desire to obtain an inner peace, despite the aforementioned feelings. Care For Some Whiskey? begs for repeat listenings as it emanates a ray of fantasy that leaves me feeling celebratory. It's hard to explain why it does this, but it just does. Rosie Lee shows Leerone at her most Kate Bush-ish, bordering on a cabaret feel as her vocals get downright operatic, sending the song into an area that is usually reserved for the most dramatic moments of the live theatre. Every single song on the album encompases a mood of its own, which is no small feat considering the number of artists that are content with simply pumping out different incarnations of the same song. Leerone stands alone as a truly gifted and unique artist who definitely deserves the kind of exposure that should go beyond just a few fanatical bloggers and into the headphones of anyone desirous of quality musical adventure.

Photo by Alisha Blanchard

Myspace: Leerone
Video: Care For Some Whiskey on youtube (Great video. Like Fraggle Rock on amphetemines!)
Download: Care For Some Whiskey mp3


Download: Happy + Homemade = mp3