I really need to start opening my mail more often.
Twice in the last month I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the latest lyrical efforts of some local gals; First, by the haunting harmonies of Glen Echo’s Laura Barron, and most recently by the district’s own one-name wonder, LEA.
I’ve existed on the periphery of the self-proclaimed ‘‘urban contemporary folk” musician’s talents for some time now, editing press releases and listing her Frederick tour dates in the entertainment calendar — without ever having heard her voice. From that limited exposure, I gleaned two things: She spells her name in ALL CAPS, and, when it comes to marketing herself, she seems to favor brief, three-word phrases to get her point across.
Take the artist’s Web site —www.thisisLEA.com — or, and I do recommend it, her most recent release, ‘‘Get It Right.” One might think the title is an allusion to the pronunciation of her name (note: based on a voicemail she left, I’m going with Lee-uh).
The truth, actually, is that the opening title track is the album’s best number. And aside from URL’s and CD titles, when it comes to her music, LEA has a way with words.
How ‘‘Get it Right” can, at the same time, be an upbeat yet downtrodden torch song for 30-somethings who feel the odds are stacked against them is quite a hat trick.
‘‘What happened to that great idea you used to have?” she sings. ‘‘If this were the last day of your life, would it be the best day of your life? You got 24 hours to get it right.”
That go get ‘em attitude continues with ‘‘Falling Down,” which on the surface may be a story of circus performers, but really eschews the balancing act that is life.
I think the strongest accolade I can offer is that LEA’s latest is a CD I would listen to again (and have, actually) — especially Track 4, ‘‘Icarus,” which I was tempted to repeat during my first run-through.
Unlike ‘‘Get It Right,” this one starts out in a whisper and develops into a broken-hearted ballad of — well, I’m not quite sure. But it certainly is pretty.
If there’s a weak spot, I’d go with ‘‘Superstar.” It’s a not-particularly attractive bit about a girl who doesn’t feel particularly attractive. It’s not the CD’s only downer, but it’s the only song that felt like it might bring the CD down.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, though, there’s ‘‘What You’ve Done For Me,” which practically sums up my surprise in discovering a song with more than a bit of swing, here, being reminiscent of any number of bubbly tunes from the big band 40s.
‘‘What you’ve done for me? You’ve got my heart to singing. What you’ve done for me? You’ve got my bells to ringing. You’ve got my feet tapping, hands clapping, fingers snapping. What’s happening to me?”
Can’t you just hear Sinatra singing those words?
LEA’s style has often been compared to Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman. I’d venture to say that she’s easier on the ears than either (if you run into Mitchell or Chapman, though, please don’t tell them I said that. Wouldn’t want to burn any bridges).
Truthfully, I’m not a diehard fan of folk music, but I will say that the CD is still on demand in my car, and while I’m writing this – several of the songs keep humming themselves in my head.
This is LEA. ‘‘Get It Right.”
Live Music in the GAllery with LEA
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Ten Thousand Joys, 54 E. Patrick St., Frederick
For information:www.thisisLEA.com
