Leigh Nash
Blue on Blue

(One Son/Nettwerk)

First Appeared in The Music Box, September 2006, Volume 13, #9

Written by Tracy M. Rogers

Leigh Nash may be known best as the impish, angelic singer from one-hit-wonder band Sixpence None the Richer. Nevertheless, Blue on Blue, her solo debut, is a surprisingly insightful collection of love songs that not only are set in a pop-oriented vein but also find her voice to be in fine form. The opening track Along the Wall is a piano ballad with a dance beat on which Nash explores the question of how to love amid heartbreak and fears of rejection. Nervous in the Light of Dawn is another tender tune that is rendered as mid-tempo, philosophical, singer-songwriter-minded fare. By contrast, My Idea of Heaven contains a jaunty rhythm that approaches a country-rock groove, while Between the Lines boasts a series of haunting opening chords as Nash’s voice barely rises above a whisper. In fact, Between the Lines would not feel out of place if it were inserted within the constructs of Sam Phillips’ early records. More of It is a ready-made, radio hit for the adult-alternative set, while Angel Tonight moseys happily as Nash celebrates love. The aptly titled Blue is, at once, haunting and melancholic, and the closing selection Just a Little features a Beatle-esque synth and string melody as well as introspective lyrics about a failed relationship. Throughout the set, Nash’s vocals are childlike, thus providing an interesting juxtaposition to the maturity of her lyrics. Thus, Blue on Blue is a promising debut for a young songwriter who is wise beyond her years. ½

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Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2006 The Music Box