Leon has his own sound and does his own thing. Leon's somewhat raggedy voice tells us that he lives his life to the fullest and has a lot of stories to share... The subjects he picked for his songs are definitely interesting and have much more depth, than the fluffy stuff that we usually hear on the radio! What I already noticed on his previous album: he asks native speakers to check his lyrics and that's a very smart thing to do. Leon's English is very easy to understand, but I don't know if his casual pronunciation will bother anybody? After all, he's Dutch! Furthermore, these are all experienced players - the music sounds great. I wish, that in this digital era more artists would pay attention to the packaging of their goods, like Leon and his friends did... We want less MP3's and more tin cigar cases! Let's take this disc from the tin cigar case and let's give it a spin! 1. 'The Other Side Of The Road': Nice start with a catchy melody, that has some influences from Central-European gypsy and folk music. 'I'm looking for an answer / On the other side of the road'. 2. 'Welcome To Botox Nation': About the obsession with looks and staying young and... get full lips like Angelina! Great interplay between electric guitar and keys. 3. 'Borrego Springs': That's a small town close to San Diego. I guess this song was already written during or shortly after Leon's travels in the U.S.A. It captures that Californian close-to-the-border desert feeling perfectly. Love the shakers! 4. 'Gender Outlaw': More good guitar work, a harmonica and background vocals for a song with another sensitive subject: 'The right to be is what you claim'. 5. 'Highway Prostitute': Ballad about an older lady of the night, picking up her clients along the highways as she still has kids to raise. So, she's waiting for another 'fifteen minute friend'. Brilliant song with unfortunately not a happy end. 6. 'Oaxaca Blues': That's the city where altcountry hero Dan Stuart (Green On Red) lives! A blues rock song indeed, with bad-ass electric guitar and harmonica. 'I don't wanna go away / I think I'm gonna stay', according to the last line! 7. 'Time': Song with a great cadence and probably the most inspired guitar solo of the album. 'I get my comfort from the things I believe...' 8. 'Why Do Men': Questions. Why men commit so much violence... Leon sums up various gritty examples - seemingly in sharp contrast with the sounds of the pretty flamenco guitar, but that works perfectly. 9. 'A Two Pint State Of Mind': A fast playful tune, with a little wink at the 'La Bamba' folklore sounds, about corporate greed. 10. 'My Egomobile': Labeled as a bonus track and recorded at home. The subject is irresponsibility on the road. Piano and accordion give this country song a conjunto feeling.
