LN's sole fixed member Gary Murray from Bellevue, OH is finally laying his project to rest. Fortunately, he left us with a 9th and final Velvet Blue Music release, closing the quietly successful chronicles of LN. This album's rotating cast consists of Dalton Brand, Casey VanSickle, Nathan Abel and various others.

I haven't heard much from the LN back catalog, but this album is actually a minimalist three-tier blend of gentle ambiance, alt-country, and acoustic folk, which works surprisingly well. As heard in humble opener 'Without Your Song.' Murray's vocals are always up front, even amidst a backdrop of ambiance and finger picked acoustic guitar. In instrumental 'Lamps Of Sleep' and following track 'Albatross,' the same airy open landscape is brought to mind, not to be mistaken with a feeling of emptiness. These tracks are definitely full in sound. 'It Don't Matter If You Bleed' consists of only vocals and acoustic guitar, but is one of the strongest alt-country songs I've heard. LN's spirituality comes out in pensive expression in this song, with lyrics like “Did you believe them, as they nailed Him to the cross. It don't matter if you bleed like him, it only matters if you love.” Lamentful 'Stars Beautiful' finds Murray pleading 'Wrap around me. I don't want to be alone.” 'Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still' leans towards Iron & Wine-esque arrangements and melody, still in line with the rest of this album. 'Kisses' pulls off a drum machine successfully. To close the album off 'Ride That Pony Down' is a classic folky country track with brushed drums.

I was very surprised by this album. When I first heard it was slow and boring, but after a few listens, the slow, somber melodies got to me. The artwork is very minimal and in-line with lo-fi standards. This album is for fans of vast, dry, dusty landscapes, lonely country nights and heavy-hearted lyrics.

Rating: 3.5/5