You know what they say about the best things coming to those who wait? Fans have been waiting years for Walyalup/Fremantle act Lloyd & The Leftovers to drop their debut album, and now their patience has been rewarded with the release of Spin the Wheel.
This album is the very best of indie-folk/alt-country. People might use the term Americana to describe the sound, and it certainly sits neatly alongside music from artists like Nathan Rateliff, Jason Isbell, and Ryan Adams. But there’s also something distinctly Australian about the twang in Luke Giglia-Smith’s vocals and the stories he tells. Music this great isn’t meant to sit in a box though. It’s meant to be felt, experienced, embraced.
Many artists bring out their heavy hitters early, but I appreciate the way Lloyd & The Leftovers let this album creep up on listeners. The opening number “Fruit and Wine” is such a gentle summery song that you might miss its easy charm if you’re not listening closely. The band kicks things up with “Kaarta Koomba,” but even with this song they seem reluctant to show all their cards. For me, the album really hits its stride with the third track, “Listen to Invalidate.” There’s such a beautiful, quiet power about it. It took my breath away from the first listen, but still makes an impression on me. With “Something Rainproof,” the band again shows the power of stillness.
With “Breathe Says the Sign,” Lloyd & The Leftovers seem to turn the dial up a notch and embrace a full-band sound rather than performing like a solo act. For me, that’s when this act resonates most. The harmonies are exquisite and the instrumentation is layered enough to make an impact without overshadowing the exceptional songwriting. Quieter numbers like “Cowboy” and “Twice in a Day” never fade into the background because the rich instrumentation and beautiful backing vocals support Luke Giglia-Smith’s voice so superbly.
Lloyd & The Leftovers saves some of its biggest songs to the back end of this album. Singles “Tried It On Tuesday” and the title track lose none of their potency here.
Spin the Wheel offers such a rich, rewarding listening experience. Lloyd & The Leftovers make exceptional indie-folk music and deliver it with heart. From quiet introspective moments to crowd-pleasing upbeat numbers, this album has it all and then some.
Lloyd & The Leftovers will launch Spin the Wheel tonight at Clancy’s Fish Pub in Walyalup/Fremantle. Get your tickets now from OzTix.
Images used with permission from Kick Push PR