Bird Wings In The Bleak

Libbie Linton's debut full-length album entitled Bird Wings in the Bleak was completed in April of 2009. The record is a collection of 12 songs with admittedly somber leanings that range from bare guitar and voice to more complex arrangements of banjo, ukulele, piano, violin, electric guitar, harmonica, bass, tuba, and percussion. Lyrically, the album is full of unique phrasing and unexpected lines. Regardless of the subject matter, Linton's strongest asset is an ability to sing like she means every word. It's all in how you hear it. Linton's voice-best described as a slightly more tremulous female version of folk legend Nick Drake's ear-catching pipes-has turned out to be one of her strongest musical assets. There are throngs of female singer-songwriters with acoustic guitars, but only a select few-even on the local level-can hold an audience and build a following. When it comes to vocals, unique is not a liability. Unique is as good as it gets. (Jenny Poplar, Salt Lake City Weekly)