A new album release from Leaf Rapids brings out a lush and wonderful array of instrumentation and songwriting approaches that blend a pure hearted Americana and soul feel with a southern twanged almost blues rock approach at times and the mix of all these influences really shine through in different sections of different songs so well that it feels almost like a release that is built and performed not only straight from the heart, but with fewer boundaries than the norm.
One of my favorite aspects about the Velvet Paintings album is the instrumentation and how it's all performed because you get thing from acoustic guitars, to bowed instruments like cello or upright bass, lap or pedal steel, and so much more that all just comes flowing in and out creating this beautiful atmosphere for the record and it's very easy to just fall right into that.
This is one of those albums that you need to listen to as a whole so that you can soak in everything the way it was meant to be and aside from that, if you only listen to a few tracks from a record like this one, you're getting nowhere near the full spectrum it actually has to offer.
A lot of these songs have such soulful vocals and they add a gorgeous layer of texture but they also show so much character and personality that you can relate to a lot of this stuff.
I mean, the first line of the whole album is " when I get my shit together I'll be forced to reckon with".
This line alone should really give you a hint as to the sheer honesty and inner thought process that comes out throughout this record and it surely does big massive clumps.
But it's also the way the record is performed that really grabs you because at certain points it feels like the record is recorded live on the floor and the players are just feeding off of each other's energies the whole time which lets the songs feel almost alive and breathing in a way.
A lot of these pieces of music have a forward moving flow to them that feels so natural and by listening to the songs you can tell that this group of musicians have been doing this for a very long time and also, they put everything they can into the creation process.
The songs have heart, soul, charisma, and persona.
You can tell everyone involved is not only in their zone and having so much fun doing it, but that they all have an absolute love for their craft and when I say that I don't just mean playing keys or organs, guitar, lap steel, or singing.
I mean that their love for the craft of putting a song together and creating it to put out into the world is what's evident here.
I mean yes, the musicianship is outstanding and these are experienced in seasoned players for sure, but it also has that soul and that's what matters even more.
This was a bountiful record that had a full-bodied soundscape and listening to it is more of an experience than just an album.
This is something I adore because you simply don't come across it often.
The record is brand new and only released a few days ago and if you have the time, would you do, listen to this record as a whole from beginning to end.
Just do it on the drive home from work or kicking back on the couch in your living room.
Either way this is going to affect you. It's going to make thoughts and memories of your own pop into your head at random and that kind of connection is a beautiful thing musically.
Check this out as soon as you get a chance.