Leaving the Yard

Description

Leaving the Yard is the debut album by American singer and songwriter Holly Nelson, released on Northern Records in April 2003. The album was recorded by Andy Prickett, Elijah Thomson, and Frank Lenz at Sonikwire Studios in Irvine and at Northern Recording, California; with Prickett and Lenz producing. Mixed by Chris Colbert of Breakfast with Amy fame at The Green Room in Huntington Beach, California.

Featuring Holly Nelson on vocals; Richard Swift on keyboards and backing vocals; Andy Prickett on guitar; Elijah Thomson on bass; and Frank Lenz on drums, keyboards, and backing vocals.

Holly Nelson would later join Stranger Kings as lead vocalist, an indie rock band featuring guitarist Eric Campuzano, bassist Herb Grimaud Jr., and drummer Brady Esquivel. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2014.

The Northern Records career of singer/songwriter Holly Nelson is off to an impressive start with her debut album Leaving the Yard. Aptly mixing a number of styles around her sultry, sometimes innocent, but never shy, vocals, Nelson shows glimpses of the potential to be a true musical star. Comparisons to Nelson are many: Amy Grant in the country phases of her career, Sarah McLachlan, even Shania Twain.

Produced by the well-traveled and the immensely talented Frank Lenz (Fold Zandura, Starflyer 59) and Andrew Prickett, Leaving the Yard in its finished form is a pop/rock affair that sparkles with freshness and vitality.

The high points on this album are many. Among the star tracks is the mysteriously apocalyptic «Hey Ranger», with its creepy B-3 wafting through mournful guitars, its slow, steady drumbeat, and lyrics telling of “Smelling danger in the air/ Bolt the bar and meet me in the basement/ The kids are already there.” The lovely «Maybe Grace» is full of softly delicately crafted guitar hooks and Nelson’s soft intonations. Nelson can go from one extreme to the other as evidenced on «Seatbelt», a feel-good, smiley-faced pop fest and the totally opposite «Masterpiece» which features a more vigorous, serious sound.

Nelson only falls short when she bravely attempts a cover of Tom Petty’s «I Won’t Back Down». Her voice just don’t fit a song that only works with Petty’s craggy, beat-down vocals.

Leaving the Yard is a pleasing debut with lots of positives to point out. The sky’s the limit with this very talented singer. [Noel Lloyd, The Phantom Tollbooth, 12/14/03]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/leaving-the-yard/1592010120)

CD tracklist:

01. Seatbelt – 3:15
02. Easy – 2:40
03. Maybe Grace – 3:11
04. Masterpiece – 3:14
05. Hey Ranger – 4:51
06. I Won’t Back Down – 2:58
07. Rhyme and Reason – 2:31
08. Spring Cleaning – 3:33
09. The Water – 4:43
10. Wholly Loved – 3:43
11. How About That – 2:10
12. Unpacking – 3:38

Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://hollynelson.bandcamp.com/album/leaving-the-yard

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