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Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

Leah Morgan: Zero Dollars Spent
[self-released]

As a former resident of the D.C. area, I can tell you that when I decided move from there, I firmly believed that absolutely nothing could ever make me want to move back there.  Well, I was wrong.  What would make me consider moving back to that over-crowded, insanely expensive sprawl?  Simple.  Two words: Leah Morgan.

Hailing from McLean, VA, Leah Morgans debut CD, Zero Dollars Spent, is a refreshing change of pace from the style-over-substance pop-punk infesting the airwaves.  As it is with most any truly talented artist, Leah Morgans music is difficult to categorize.  Perhaps progressive rock-folk music is most apt, but such a label doesnt do justice to the musically diverse songs featured on Zero Dollars Spent.  Displaying shades of Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, and Alison Krauss, Leah Morgan has crafted an instantly memorable release.

The opening track, Thank You Note, provides a good introduction to the artists varied style, as her progressive folk-rock style shines through on this introspective song.  Conversely, Iowa is a fun, pure folk-rock ditty in the vein of James Taylor, which showcases Leah Morgans wonderful vocals.

On Obvious, Morgan has penned a beautifully painful and plaintive contemporary bluegrass song.  Accompanied by J. Tom Hnatows magnificent banjo and Daryn Cambridges wonderful guitar, which play off one another perfectly, this tune is, in my opinion, the albums centerpiece and another shining example of the artists range.

Deftly switching gears, the track You Had Me abandons the singer/songwriter, folk-rock feel of the previous cuts for a harder edge.  Stepping into the genre of alternative rock, Leah Morgan beats Alanis Morissette at her own game with this angry song about love and betrayal.

Leah Morgans Zero Dollars Spent is a fantastic album that marks the coming of a singer/songwriter with extraordinary potential.  This reviewer will be one of the many in line on September 9^th to purchase her debut release.  Additionally, friends of the reviewer still living in the D.C. area should not be surprised to hear me calling them looking for a place to crash when I come up there to see one of her shows.

This album can be purchased at the Leah Morgan Official Website

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