A few years ago, local radio station DC 101, brought in a band to play at its annual Kegs & Eggs fesitval on St. Patrick's Day, Richmond, VA based Carcon Leaf. Initially, I thought "Well a good choice since they have a Irish tint to their music."
It was only after listening to the band, probably best known for the song "The Boxer," did I find a remarkable musicianship that makes the band, if not a great band, at least one that is fun enough to be around for a good long time.
Certainly the Irish flavoring of both music and lyrics, appeals to a large segment. The vocals by Barry Privett certainly give the impression of a band born around Dublin and fermented by years of bars and small clubs. But the difference is in tone, the lyrics and their delivery are much more upbeat and feel good to hear.
The band employs great harmonies in backing vocals to Privett's lead vocals. In addition, guitarists Terry Clark and Carter Gravatt, along with bassist Jordan Medas, prove capable of working with complex guitar lines and weaving them into a sound that is layered but not a mishmash of notes trying to overpower each other. Like many Richmond-Charlotte bands, the rhythms produced by drummer Scott Milstead and Medas are complex, making the band's rhythm section an integral part of the band, not just a method for providing pacing for the bands guitarists and vocalist.
The band is great deal of fun to see live. To be blunt, I think this should be a disk in everyone's collection.
My favorite tracks:
"Shine" Carbon Leaf garnered at least a little notoriety with this follow up to "The Boxer" but in many respects this is a far better song. The harmonies in the vocals are much stronger and the lyrics are better.
"Follow the Lady" The guitar work on this selection is probably the best on the album. The lyrics and vocals are smoother, even slower, that the speedy acoustic guitar, but it provides a great counterpoint.
"May Mac" Carbon Leaf takes a great traditional Irish song and just hits a home run with it. The frenetic, even frantic, delivery makes the song fun. The alliterations in the lyrics must have made the recording of the song an exercise in tongue twisters. Finally, the backing vocals come in at just the right point to highlight the speed of the piece.
P.S. Carbon Leaf just released a new disk, but I have yet to get my hands on it. This CD is a great start for the band.
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