By Ali Bracken

Touted in their press kit as "The Best Unsigned Band in America," Carbon Leaf presents themselves as the capital sound from the capital of Virginia. With Celtic undertones and five hairstyles that promise more fun than your old Wooly Willy game, attention from Echo Echo found the band accepting Coca-Cola’s AMA New Music Award in 2002. So why haven’t we heard of them before?

Carbon Leaf, instrumentally intricate and Irish pub meets American mainstream, is now apparently signed and kicking. Bandmembers are: Terry Clark (electric & acoustic guitars, vocals), Carter Gravatt (electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin, bodhran, vocals, acoustic, & 5 string electric mandolin, bouzuki), Scott Milstead (drums & percussion, vocals), Jordan Medas (electric bass, bowed & double bass, vocals, baritone guitar) and Barry Privett (words & vocals, tin whistle, harmonica). Surely it takes more than a few buses to get these guys and their equipment across town.

Imaginably, the quintet knows their sharps, flats, majors and minors, and weaves their musical know-how into original melodies. Recognizing the band’s strongest song, Echo Echo leads with 'The Boxer,' one of the most Celtic, instrumental, and beat-heavy songs on the album. Mandolin-fronting 'Wandrin’ Around' comes next, a runner-up for the track with the catchiest imported yet familiar sound. Other album notables are 'Mary Mac,' a less annoying 'John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt' type of tune, and 'Desperation Song,' which ironically is hopeful in character, even somehow Billy Idolesque. Privett’s fresh and fortified vocals lead listeners through an electric blues and acoustic Gaelic journey, showcasing the diversity of Carbon Leaf’s musical product.

Carbon Leaf is noteworthy, however, for not being the absolute best America has to offer, as boasted. Although a talented and creative release, Echo Echo lacks in the mood-grabbing department, therefore making the ditties somewhat forgettable. The instruments sometimes serve as supplements to words rather than making the full connection of spoken and sung.

A new release is promised in early 2004, and my hope is, now that Carbon Leaf is signed and the ink is dry, the band can live up to the hype.

www.carbonleaf.com