Leatherbag

Love & Harm (Superpop!)

With eight songs in 25 minutes, Love & Harm could be classified as an EP. However, the songwriting sweep of Austin’s Leatherbag, aka Randy Reynolds, is so broad and enveloping, it’s an epic listen. This is his third EP, following a longer-player last year, so maybe the short form is Reynolds’ ideal. His tunes jump from the garage to the sound of summer and the back porch, each bristling with energy and vivid images. Velvet Underground rip “On Down the Line” opens the set full of chug and bluster, while pensive closer “Song to Simon” is proportionately subdued. The shift is remarkably sharp yet totally in character, a testament to the presence of a major tunesmith. Fans of like-minded mix-and-match popsters Brothers & Sisters and Li’l Cap’n Travis will find a lot to like on Love & Harm. If only there were more of it to love.

***.5

This article appears in May 16 • 2008.

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