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The latest addition to the Northern Records growing roster is Holly Nelson, a woman who was discovered at the Orange County Music Awards by Frank Lenz. She did some backup vocals for Northern bands before branching out on her own. To be sure, Holly Nelson has the vocal talent necessary for such a venture.

The musical style of Leaving the Yard is all over the map, which is ultimately what holds the album back. With influences ranging from rock to country to pop, the songs on the album have a difficult time of finding their own musical voice. The album's best moments are arguably the pop-inspired segments. "Spring Cleaning" and "Hey Ranger" easily remind the listener of Plumb, yet they prove to be the album's best songs. Holly Nelson definitely has a talented band backing her with Andrew Prickett (The Prayer Chain, The Violet Burning) on guitar, Elijah Thompson (The Lassie Foundation on bass), Richard Swift (Starflyer 59) on keys, and Frank Lenz (Starflyer 59) on drums.

The albums lyrics are fairly well penned. The final track of the CD, "Unpacking" provides an appropriate conclusion: "One day my baby and I will unpack and go for a ride / Leave the sun and the moon and the stars all behind and head for the open sky."

Holly Nelson does have potential to create some excellent songs, but first she needs to settle into a sound she can call her own. Until then, her music is adequate, but nothing more than that.

Trae Cadenhead 11/19/2003

The Northern Records career of singer/songwriter Holly Nelson is off to an impressive start with her debut album Leaving the Yard.  Aptly mixing a number of styles around her sultry, sometimes innocent, but never shy, vocals, Nelson shows glimpses of the potential to be a true musical star.   Comparisons to Nelson are many:  Amy Grant in the country phases of her career, Sarah McLachlan, even Shania Twain.  

Produced by the well-traveled and the immensely talented Frank Lenz (Fold Zandura, Starflyer 59) and Andrew Prickett, Leaving the Yard in its finished form is a pop/rock affair that sparkles with freshness and vitality. 

The high points on this album are many.  Among the star tracks is the mysteriously apocalyptic “Hey Ranger,” with its creepy B-3 wafting through mournful guitars, its slow, steady drumbeat, and lyrics telling of “Smelling danger in the air/Bolt the bar and meet me in the basement/The kids are already there.”  The lovely “Maybe Grace” is full of softly delicately crafted guitar hooks and Nelson’s soft intonations.   Nelson can go from one extreme to the other as evidenced on “Seatbelt,” a feel-good, smiley-faced pop fest and the totally opposite “Masterpiece” which features a more vigorous, serious sound. 

Nelson only falls short when she bravely attempts a cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”  Her voice just don’t fit a song that only works with Petty’s craggy, beat-down vocals.  

Leaving the Yard is a pleasing debut with lots of positives to point out.  The sky’s the limit with this very talented singer. 

Noel Lloyd 
12/14/03