Nothing Rhymes with Woman

Carbon Leaf

Some bands insist on dragging listeners into their world, but Carbon Leaf works towards a more admirable and considerably more difficult goal--that of letting perfect strangers feel that the band understands their world. The band succeeds in doing just that--and in creating a soundtrack suitable for multiple worlds--on its third Vanguard release, Nothing Rhymes With Woman. Produced by John Morand, who manned the board for their Vanguard debut, Indian Summer, Nothing Rhymes With Woman finds the Virginia-based band firmly in touch with its roots--the Celtic tinge that cloaks "Pink" is reminiscent of Carbon Leaf's passel of self-released discs. Throughout the set, however, the quintet affirms a commitment to moving forward, kicking out the jams a bit more aggressively on the sinewy walking blues "Another Man's Woman" and interpolating the rich organ playing of longtime Dave Matthews Band keyboardist Butch Taylor on several tracks, including the arresting opener "Indecision."

Nothing Rhymes with Woman Album: