Austin Sound

Some Say Leland’s sophomore album surprises with its subtlety, full of gorgeous tunes and wistful narratives that flow with an easy but unsettled beauty. Despite the release of 2005’s Kings, Bishops, and Pawns, the self-released Fifty Miles Into the Main feels much more like their proper introduction. Since relocating to Austin from Nacogdoches, ssL foundation Dan Grissom has integrated himself into the new local lo-fi roots scene that has sprung up around the Secret Shows, not only with Some Say Leland, but also solo and with the McMercy Family Band. What separates Some Say Leland from those other groups, however, is the quality of the album and intricacy of Grissom’s songwriting, which forgoes the ribald and wild enthusiasm of his contemporaries for more contemplative and controlled ballads. Likewise, Grissom’s solo album from last year, What Was, was promising, but also rushed and somewhat haphazard, so Fifty Miles feels like a true representation of his talent given the tools and time to have it properly developed.