Carbon Leaf

Before they were known as America’s most accomplished unsigned band, Virginia’s Carbon Leaf was making a high impact buzz on the college circuit. As winners of the Coca-Cola New Music Award in 2002, Carbon Leaf followed up with gracious opening spots for such pop rock titans as: Dave Matthews Band, OAR, John Mayer, Counting Crowes, Guster and David Gray. Their brand of Celtic/bluegrass inspired rock featured such diverse instruments as mandolin bodhran, banjo, bagpipes, bouzouki, and tin whistles, carrying the playful sound through the better part of five albums and a steady cult following.

With Indian Summer, their debut on Vanguard Records, Carbon Leaf has polished its brawny musicianship into a tightly focused effort that peaks with soundscaping guitars and determined vocals, departing from the kitschy experiments that floated in prior Leaf efforts. Molding their Celtic and bluegrass foundation, Carbon Leaf turns a new, well, leaf – dropping the Barenaked Ladies oddity and raucous jig banter, in favor of a deeper and more influential sound.

Mixing a crisp fusion of polished songwriting with pop hooks, the earthy rock of “Life Less Ordinary” proves Carbon Leaf's studio time was well lived. “What About Everything” is a match made in heaven for lead singer Barry Privett’s energetic vocals, in which he questions random thoughts, both playful and serious, over a hook heavy melody. Songs like “Grey Blue Eyes” and “Paloma” shine with focused texture, proving the band can make a dent in alternative pop rock spectrums like Great Big Sea and Fountains of Wayne. Indian Summer is a grand major label debut, proving Carbon Leaf can hone their sound to glimmer with tasteful melodies, smart lyrics and delicate chops that you can truly grasp for numerous listens.