Laura Stevenson – The Wheel

Laura Stevenson comes from a family of prominent musicians. Laura’s grandfather, Harry Simeone, wrote both the Christmas classics “Little Drummer Boy” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and her grandmother sang in Benny Goodman’s band.

Laura took a different approach to her musical career. She joined the punk music scene and became the keyboardist for Bomb The Music Industry!. She eventually wrote her own stuff, released a split CD with Bomb The Music Industry!, gained popularity, then broke off from her band and focused on her solo stuff.

Her third album “The Wheel” is an incredible indie-pop-folk album. With this album Laura Stevenson enlisted the help of Grammy-winning artist Rob Moose (who has played with Bon Iver) and Kelly Pratt (who has played with various bands including Arcade Fire).

The first thing you’ll notice when you put on the album is Stevenson’s voice.  There’s just a familiarity in her voice that makes her voice immediately appealing.  Laura Stevenson’s voice is what keeps her pretty dark material from getting too depressing and gloomy. “The Wheel” is rich, varied, and confident.

“Eleonora”, “The Move”, and “The Journey to The Center of the Earth” are the catchier songs on the album. While “Every Tense” and “L-Dopa” will melt the coldest of hearts.

This was one of the best albums of 2013 and it’s something you won’t get sick of hearing anytime soon.