How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale. Léanie Kaleido

How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale is a great album title but also one that makes me think I am about to be listening to a carnival song. Léanie Kaleido's music could not be further removed from the foot-stomping, simplistic music released around carnival in my country. This music is serious, contemplative and soothing but also slightly troubling at some points.

Foremost How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale is an atmospheric album. Keyboards play a huge role. This can be a traditional piano but also synths that create slow, long-held sounds making the songs luxurious and slow. It is Kaleido who kicks up the tempo here and there by varying the tempo she sings in. A technique suggesting a faster pace, while behind her nothing changes.

In 2020 Léanie Kaleido celebrated her 50th birthday and was able to record her new album with Mark Gardener, former member of pre-Britpop band Ride, who produced it. As she indicated herself, a band that she used to hang posters of up on her bedroom walls and who is now a mate to make music with. Kaleido is the daughter of The Yardbirds' first solo-guitarist Top Topham. An interesting detail, because that made him precede Eric Clapton! She's releasing records as a solo artist since 2006.

Promo photo: Jess Foster

In a way this is all you need to know about How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale and that in no way is meant as a negative qualification. This is an album to listen to, to get to know its fine nuances and details. The piano led songs softly proceed, with Léanie Kaleido's voice leading the way. All else is there only to support her voice. She is central on this album. Mark Gardener created the environment around her to shine in. And shine she does. There are elements of other artists like Dido or Susanna in her music. At best it allows you to know a little in advance what to expect, all else is your loss should you not listen to this nice and often beautiful singer-songwriter album, with elements of soft electronics or guitar playing thrown in to enhance the mood of songs.

Until recently I had never heard of Léanie Kaleido. I'm glad it happened so I can enjoy a beautiful, bittersweet song like ''Codeine'.

Wo.

You can listen to and order How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale here:

https://leaniekaleido.bandcamp.com/album/how-to-weigh-a-whale-without-a-scale

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g