Leigh Marble
Red Tornado
A modern Americana record by every sense of the word in it's current definition; Leigh Marble's 2007 release Red Tornado sounds right out of the catalogs of New West records. It isn't. This release, with all it's raggedy edged production, vintage warm tones and tasteful country twangs was recorded completely independent by the artist himself with the aid of a group of friends and musicians contributing additional sounds, and is another important fruition in the blossoming North Eastern US roots rock scene. Songwriting still takes precedent for Marble. His vocals are sincere, and it is a refreshing thing to feel that a songwriter is not lying to you. Just when he seems to overstep to the edge of his bounds, lyrically and vocally, he comes back to center with heartfelt and reserved narration. Even with all these comforts Red Tornado portrays a sense of unrest and anxiety. Someone or something has hurt Leigh Marble; deeply and not in the obvious ways. He sings and speaks as a young man that has had other than his heart broken; he sings these songs with the subtle pains of someone that is looking on old hopes and beliefs that are now wrecked and twisted, perhaps by something that seems as random and untraceable as a natural disaster. Look forward to the future records from him, if he stays so transparent, and we will view a songwriter as someone would watch a flower through time, weather, and changes of season.
-Shawn Kyle
Record Available on Laughing Stock Records
http://www.laughing-stock.org/
Visit Leigh on Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/leighmarble
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