Les Nuby - Clouded (2020)

Beginning as the drummer in the 90s Birmingham, Alabama indie- rock power house, Verbena, Les Nuby began a steady musical exploration that’s still going. He’s a one-time touring member for Scottish legends Idlewild, touring guitarist with Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), guitar slinger for Vulture Whale, and current guitarist/ vocalist for Holiday Gunfire. It’s a hefty musical resume before the production credits even begin. In his Birmingham studio, Ol’ Elegante, Nuby has been the production captain for several notable releases in the past few years for artists such as Will Stewart, Sarah Lee Langford, The Dirty Clergy, and Witch’s Wall, to name a few. He’s pretty much been there and done it all in the past couple of decades as player and producer. The only item missing from the list was a solo album. Until now.

Nuby’s solo debut Clouded injects a southern sensibility into his unique and ultra-capable take on brit/shoe-gaze rock that produces ten melody laden, thoughtfully arranged and undeniably powerful songs. From the anthemic opener “Never Falling Away”, foolish choices are complemented with never losing hope.

The first single- “Know What She Said” blends progressive 70s/ 80s rock sounds with a melody and chime of early 90s power pop.

Nuby produced, engineered and played all the instruments on Clouded, a reminiscent snapshot of when music had the ability to make you drive faster and cry harder. It may have taken him awhile to get around to making an album all for himself. But, anyone who knows the man or is familiar with his past work isn’t going to be surprised that Clouded has clearly been worth the wait.