Comatised

Singer/songwriter Leona Naess offers up a wonderful mix of airy vocals and pop gems with her debut COMATISED. Producers Tommy D (Catatonia) and Scott Litt (REM) let Naess' vocal shine through, revealing a young, developing but mature artist whose voice is truly beautiful. Even though there is an eclectic element to some of COMATISED, there are tracks that just plain rock such as "Charm Attack" and "Anything". more...

One of the more slick songs on the album is "Lonely Boy", with it's urban-edge drum programming and trippy sounding instrumentals. "Chase" sounds like something Sheryl Crow could have written (that's a compliment). Make sure you check out "Chosen Family" and "Paper Thin", a melancholy mix of emotions. Leona Naess might not end up a household name with her first release, but COMATISED is one of the better albums you'll hear this year.

Rolling Stone (5/11/00, p.131)
- 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...Beautifully off-kilter tune-writing....She works the familiar terrain of thwarted love and emotional insecurity, but her exacting eye and touches of dark humor give her songs a fresh ring..."

Q (9/00, p.104)
- 4 stars out of 5 - "...She's Jewel with better lyrics and melodies, a more cohesive Fiona Apple and a scrubbed Beth Orton with the voice of fellow rich girl Carly Simon..."

Melody Maker (9/12/00, p.51)
- 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...A lovely, gently exciting debut..."

CMJ (4/3/00, p.27)
- "...A haunting collection of atmospheric and emotionally complex tunes....interlaces the folky aspects of Joni Mitchell and Edie Brickell with Bristolian atmospherics and Joy Division-style darkness..."