The Leslie Spit Treeo - Dont Cry Too Hard (1990)

Contrary to what its name implies, the Leslie Spitt Treeo didn't have a member named Leslie Spitt -- the Toronto-based unit was simply being cute by calling itself that. The real members of the Leslie Spitt Treeo include lead singer Laura Hubert, acoustic guitarist Jack Nicholsen (not to be confused with the actor) and electric guitarist/singer Pat Langner, all of whom do their part to make Don't Cry Too Hard a decent, but not stunning, collection of alternative pop-rock, folk-rock and jangly guitar music. Though no one's going to mistake this CD for a '60s recording, the group's best songs effectively combines late '80s/early '90s sensibilities with traces of late '60s rock. At times, the Leslie Spitt Treeo recalls the Mamas & Papas, and some of its material hints at Jefferson Airplane's more folk-ish songs. With her rough, jagged, whiskey-ish delivery, Hubert shows herself to be a competent singer. Some of the tunes are weak, although overall, Don't Cry Too Hard isn't a bad album. But it's definitely a little known album. Falling through the cracks, the Leslie Spitt Treeo never had an impact commercially.