Lightning
Fluff & Gravy, 2023
9/10
The debut album from the Houston native Laith, these 12 songs follow his travels across the country, where drifter sounds contain elements of country and psychedelia that are fleshed out with The Texas Birds band plus others.
“L.A.” opens the listen with Cooper Trail’s warm piano and Kevin Christopher’s bouncy bass complementing the waves of dreaminess amid Laith’s distinct singing, and “Ghost” follows with Erik Clampitt’s moody pedal steel adding much to the sublimely textured, calm melodies.
Further on, “Texas Wind” offers a punchy and country fueled album highlight that showcases Carolina Chauffe’s soulful backing vocals alongside Casey Klep Matson’s punchy drumming, while the gritty yet pretty “Song For Levon” emits a hazy form of Americana that’s pensive and scrappy.
Close to the end, “No One’s Ever Going To Put You Away” spotlights Merle Law’s agile keys that suit Laith’s poetic pipes, and “Lightning” exits with a reflective tone of subdued beauty that welcomes Sam Wenc’s glowing pedal steel and Laith’s diverse singing.
A geographical listen of the most creative kind, Laith is off to a superb start with his harmonic, sometimes twangy and buzzing song craft that will make anyone a fan pretty quick.
Travels well with: Sean Rowe- The Darkness Dressed In Colored Lights; Jim White- Misfit’s Jubilee