Search - Leona Naess :: Thirteens

Worth the wait

Julie | Pennsylvania | 09/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album has been in limbo for years. So I was relieved upon listening to agree that it was worth the wait. Although, it seemed a bit short. Makes you wonder why record companies make it so hard for good artists to release what they want, how they want it.



Bits and pieces of themes, sounds, styles and lyrics from her previous albums are echoed throughout this album, which is a nice treat. Her new single "Heavy Like Sunday" is strong, as are quite a few others. Mainly "Ghosts in the Attic," "Leave Your Boyfriends Behind" (the fadeout at the end featuring a chorus of "drunken" friends loudly singing the lyrics is a bit annoying). "Not the Same Girl," "Swing Gently," "Shiny On the Inside," "On My Mind" are the strongest songs. There are a couple songs that feel like filler, and I'm left wondering what happened to some tracks that she'd previewed on her websites over the past few years.



All the songs are written and performed in true Leona style. And that is what I've been craving since her last release in 2003. I'm hoping for unreleased tracks to show up on her singles. All in all, great record if cut a bit short despite the long wait between albums.

"

A Truly Gifted Singer-Songwriter

Bryon McDonald | Lawrence, KS, USA | 10/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five years to the day after her eponymous 2003 release, this English/American songwriter graced upon the world Thirteens, the culmination of the thirteen lo-fi albums she recorded since her last.



I bought this album, which was released September 16th, on the heels of two let-downs I'd bought the week prior, so I was hoping for something substantial. I was not disappointed: from the first track, I knew this girl was for real. I've been listening to a lot of female artists lately, and unfortunately too many of their sophomore efforts have been over-produced, unoriginal radio-pop crap.



Naess is anything but! What's so wonderful about her is (at least) threefold: 1. her variety; 2. her voice; and 3. her songwriting. Now, I should say that this is the only album of her four that I've heard yet; I do intend on getting the rest but I can't compare to her earlier releases--maybe that's a good thing? So. On this album, the variety is superb! The first track starts softly then moves gently, the second ends in a chorus of her screaming friends (a unique inclusion that turns off some, but lighten up people--it's fun, and that's the point), and the rest of the album is fairly chill, laid-back folk/pop--varying from fun and upbeat to soft and slow.



Acoustic guitar and/or piano provides a backing throughout, with bits of light percussion, mandolin, and strings. Fairly stripped-down, nothing is over-done. And that's for the best: at the end of "Learning As We Go" somewhat of a cacophany (for her) seems like just a bit too much going on. She and her beautiful voice (reminded me of early Feist only a little lower), which she manipulates ever so subtly to sound slightly different in each song, sounds purest with less going on. With the exception, perhaps, of the first track.



"Ghosts in the Attic," "Heavy Like Sunday," and "On My Mind" are my absolute favorite tracks. Having these songs in my head all day for a week made me think about how well they're written, and how Leona Naess has brought back the lost art form of analogy and metaphor. Seriously, I've had enough of the same old "ooh, I want you," "oh no, I lost you," and "I need you but am too proud to admit it," etc. etc. "singer-songwriter" repetitive blather. Naess (with the help of her bandmate/producer Sam Dixon on most) writes real, poetic songs, that, if you listen closely enough, might make you think. Being open to interpretation might make you enjoy it that much more if you're into that kind of thing."

Welcome back, Leona, we've missed ya

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 10/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 2000-2001, Leona Naess came out of nowhere with 2 terrific albums, her debut "Comatized", followed by an even better "I Tried To Rock You But You Only Roll", which could've and should've been a commercial breakthrough, but alas, it remained simply a critical success. The self-titled "Leona Naess" followed in 2003, which was a bit of a let-down for me. Then after that, nothing.... until now, 5 years later, Leona finally has reappeared.



"Thirteens" (11 tracks; 40 min.) is somewhat of a departure from her previous output, in the sense that this clearly not an aimed at the masses (I guess 3 tries was enough), and instead we find a more inward Leona, bringing softer songs. The album opener "Ghost in the Attic" is a beautiful song, the type of song that I would typically expect as an album closer. It is followed by the most mainstream track on here "Leave Your Boyfriend Behind", the type of song that should get radio airplay (but for the crappy state of commercial radio). "Swing Swing Gently" is another highlight, with lines like "I can't tell you that I won't hurt you/But I promise that I'll try". "Heavy Like Sunday" is even better, as Leona sighs "Friend makes better lovers/Cuz they look you in the eye". In all there are no weak tracks on here, and at 40 min., this album clips by in no time.



What a welcome return this album marks for Leona Naess. I saw Leona on tour in 2001, when she seemed poised to break wig with the "I Tried to Rock You" album, and she was terrific that evening in Chicago. I can only hope that she'll take on the road again with this terrific album."