Search - Tom Leach :: Tom Leach

Sound of a Broken Heart

James Redmond | St. Peter, MN United States | 08/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Leach's new self-title disk sounds as if it were recored inside of a big ol' empty heart, which is appropriate, considering most tracks examine life after the loss of a significant other--most notably, the wife who up and left. All tracks have, if not an echo effect, the feel of being recorded in a large, empty space. Some songs, such as My Confidence is Gone, repeat phrases throughout, adding to the isolation and loniless of the lyrics. In a world where songsmanship and musical talent mattered as much as the corporate machine that pushes the music, Leach would have three top ten country hits on his hands, with My Confidence is Gone, Mr. Hang Up the Phone, and the beautiful My Doris Days. What makes Leach so good as that he goes beyond types and melodrama to depict what loss is like once you get past the initial screaming and kicking. What happens then, at least for intellegent people such as Leach, is much introspection, and a compelling mixture of blaming everyone involved and blaming noone. Throughout this disk characters treat each other with dignity. That alone elevates Leach beyond today's pop-country that thrives on two-dimensional characters and topics as well as, I might as well say it, a stupid kind of irony where every dog gets his due. At one point Leach, while reflecting on the loss of a wife, says, "I'm not happy/and I'm not sad." The reason this simple statement resonates so much is because it reflects truth. Most of us don't go and kill when we've been wronged, we don't seek revenge, and we don't become hopeless alcoholics. Most of us struggle onward, becoming hopeful and jaded, and all places between."

Really grows on you

Hammen | Seattle, WA United States | 10/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This small, personal album is one of those "warts and all" deals where the musician has a few kind of corny ideas but he's so sincere that they work beyond his wildest dreams. Good lonely guitar riffing. Hello Friend was getting some airplay on my local college radio station and this prompted me to buy this album. Good to have around."

Simply Great

Hammen | 10/09/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful little album I happened upon. Spare, funny, catchy tunes. A little country, a little blues, a little happy, a little sad. Give it a try."