Leah Andreone
Veiled
(RCA)

Just when local radio stations are beginning to acknowledge the simmering audience backlash to the recent overkill of female singer/songwriters along comes yet another to join the cue. It would be a pity if Leah Andreone got lost in the crowd just because of a negative market 'cos this gal has a voice that runs rings around most of the girliefest out there at the moment. Her major label debut came about in the classic "waitress hands record exec demo tape, exec is back the next day and not just for chicken quesadillas" scenario. As seems to be the norm these days, Andreone writes soulbaring autobiographical lyrics backed by fairly standard radio rock instrumental sounds. Nothing surprising there. She just seems so damn comfortable with it all. For a first effort you'd expect at least a little tension, but it's that relaxation in the voice that makes listening to this album a very pleasant experience indeed. (7)

Kevin Byrt