Little Wings - Light Green Leaves (CD version)
(K)
Light Green Leaves is a wonderful album to put on during a sunny day while walking on down the nature trail. It has a feel about that is welcoming and pleasant, like a glass of water after a long thirst.
Actually, that is not a bad analogy for comparing Little Wings to much of the self important indie rock that critical outlets such as Pitchfork love so dearly. This album makes no pretenses about what it is: a guy who writes nice little songs and sings them with feeling.
"Look at What the Light Did Now" is my favorite song and elicits multiple trips to the rewind button. It is the perfect Little Wings song, not too long or too short and filled with wonderful singing and imagery. Although not all of the songs are as great as "Look at
What the Light Did Now," all bring with them a smile or a pleasant thought. Seriously, Light Green Leaves should be used to treat the clinically depressed.
It's true that some more varied instrumentation (the guitar, minimal drums, vocals mixture gets a little stale after a while) to spice up the mix might not be a bad idea, but I can't slight the Little Wings for keeping it simple. Besides, some added instrumentation might actually take away from Kyle Field's wonderful lyrics and unique voice.
If you're looking for some good, honest music from good, honest folk look no further that Little Wings' Light Green Leaves. It is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of even the most jaded indie rocker (unless you work for an incredibly self important webzine, in which case you might start melting).
On a sidenote: Light Green Leaves also comes in LP and cassette formats, each holding different songs or versions of songs. The cassette contains the demo versions, the LP has versions that were recorded all in one day (!!), and the CD is the polished version.
It's a great and unique idea and I'm glad that K had the finances and faith in Little Wings to do it.
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