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Artist: Leo Nine
Label: Ironduke Records
URL: http://www.leo-nine.com/
Length: 10 tracks / 47.9 minutes
Don't let the subdued tones and overcast imagery of the cover art lull you into a false sense of security. Opening up Leo Nine's latest offering, Slow Steady Heart_ you'll be confronted by vibrant, saturated reds and vivid streaks of light. A unique but fitting visual accompaniment to the opening track from this Brisbane-based indie rock group. "The Slow Bullet," immediately gives the impression of a vehicle gaining momentum. It's gearing up for a journey across wide musical territory, traversed in style.
Slow Steady really showcases the blossoming of the potential the boys showed us with their superb 2002, self-titled EP. All the elements of the previous recording make appearances here, but with greater depth. Caleb James' songwriting is as solid and well-crafted as ever, straddling the line between the earthy and ethereal with grace and simplicity. Matt Gray has clearly put hard work into mastering this album, but the fruits of his labour are rich and sweet; when the songs hit their climax, they shimmer and stir the listener as great songs should.
Highlights along the journey include the soaring, "Stay," a layered, haunting call for strength and relief from this fallen world: "Take me over now, this world is overcome / I can't get out, it's all around me / Take me out / Take me now."
Another standout, the striking contrast of the juxtaposed darkness-into-dawn of "Dragging My Head Through Mud" and "Shining Like The Sun." Starting with a progressive industrial sound-scape, setting the scene for Mud's desperate tale:
Crushing my bones on rocksAlthough desperate, it is not a tale without redemption:
I've been sunk before
The scars remain as yesterday
Dragging my hands through glass
I feel nothingness . . .
I feel nothing . . .
Give my heart awayThis song eases into the upbeat and catchy, though vague and enigmatic, "Shining Like The Sun." This may be the biggest weakness in this project--and possibly for the previous EP also--that those looking for clear cut stories or neatly packaged, easy-to-swallow messages will be quickly disappointed. Although some lyrics are more direct than others, on the whole the songs offer the listener a casual brush of the shoulders rather than a hefty handshake to decipher their meanings. This aspect is equally as much a strength as a weakness but for a few listeners who will be uneasy with this side of Leo Nine in Slow Steady Heart.
You're so beautiful
On my knees but I'm willing
Take my armour
I surrender now
The album closer, "Everything Is Okay," is another well crafted gem; layered and rich, but light and sparkling, it cleanses the auditory palate after a hearty meal (no pun intended). That being said, there are really no filler tracks on this album; each song has its own flavour somewhere between dark, muted blue and blazing, bright red.
The hooks and James' bittersweet melodies are bound to take root in the listener's mind, ribboning in and out of one's consciousness long after the disc has stopped spinning in its bay. Although this album has twice the tracks of the 2002 EP, it still leaves the listener clamouring for more. All I can say is, once you've heard real artistry, it's hard to go back to mass-produced formula-driven music.
Leo Nine's album, Slow Steady Heart, is available from their website <http://www.leo-nine.com/>, along with the single of "Give a Little" and their 2002 self-titled EP.
Linus
Boman
July 28, 2005
Brooding, expansive, provocative, and above all forlorn that is Slow Steady Heart. “Hiding my face in light ‘till I blind you all” drones (in a good way) Caleb James lead singer for Leo Nine welcoming the listener to the real world. A world that scars but at the same time brings joy, a world that beats you down and at the same time builds you up because of the unseen Hand that holds it all together. The melancholy tone of his voice is reminiscent of David Brazan (Pedro the Lion). It is able to cause the dark that is buried within us all to surface so that the Light may vanquish it. Fans of Coldplay, Radiohead or U2 will easily fall in love with this Aussie band.
Caleb and the boys do a mind blowing job of tip toeing the line between dark and light, clearly expressing the dilemma of human suffering but at the same time pointing to the source that can consol us. To sum up “Slow Steady Heart” I would say this album is balm for the hurting soul. The title track and “Dragging My Head Through Mud” upon first listen sound a bit obtuse but with more listens you will see these are two of the best worship songs to be written in awhile.
These guys are exceptional songsmiths who are not afraid to use non-traditional arrangements and combine them with straight ahead, visceral lyrics resulting in ten amazingly great songs. “You’re too scared to live inside ‘cause you’re dying on the outside” this lyric from “Curbside” could be the centerpiece to this masterpiece since all the songs in some way touch on the theme of yearning for something greater than yourself but being held back by the worries and stresses of this life all the while realizing that only through submission can we truly live. Kudos to the band for not hiding behind platitudes and pretensions, but instead allowing us to peek inside their hearts and souls. Music is always better that way, Slow Steady Heart proves just that.
Aaron C. Anderson 8/13/2005
In addition to writing for
Phantom Tollbooth, Aaron also independently writes poems, devotionals and
more about the human condition. To read more of his writings or order some
of his books go to: www.aaroncanderson.us.
