Leah Andreone
Veiled

She isn't angry and she isn't wacko -- just a little confused. Nothing wrong with that, especially since Andreone bares her emotions so virtuously during this self-exploratory journey.

As she purges her soul track after track, it becomes apparent that Andreone is nursing a romantic breakup, and she doesn't shy away fromm discussing the inner turmoil she's experiencing because of it.

Heartbreakingly fragile on "You Make Me Remember," she achingly realizes, "You speak my name, I hear nothing. You share your dreams, I see nothing. Unconscious suicide, aren't you gone yet? You make me remember things I want to forget" -- sung with the bluntness of a woman who truly does want to forget her pain.

The winding "Who Are They To Say" finds Andreone's mewish voice escalating into an Alanis Morissette yelp as she touches on the song's spirituality with a hint of cynicism, while "It's Alright It's OK," currently grabbing plenty of modern rock airplay, boasts an undeniably hook-filled chorus.

The style of Andreone's songs -- gentle guitar ballads alternating with basic rock -- aren't groundbreaking, yet she has plenty of wise observations. No doubt this album was a cathartic experience for her -- just be glad she decided to share with the rest of the class. B+