I Tried to Rock You But You Only Roll

AMG Review of I Tried to Rock You But You Only Roll

John Duffy
All Music Guide

Stunningly attractive, angel-voiced Brit songstresses always seem to be in good supply, but Leona Naess' heralded debut Comatised promised to be so much more. Unfortunately, her freshman jitters left the album feeling a bit half-baked and somewhat rushed. Her follow-up I Tried to Rock You But You Only Roll revisits the loveworn lyrics and charming melodic themes of its predecessor, but adds the confidence and focus Comatised lacked on about two-thirds of its tracks. The opener "Blue Eyed Baby" picks up exactly where her exceptional debut single "Charm Attack" left off, and Naess' sweet, milky vocals (here captured in all their richness by producer Martin Terefe) draw her taut rhythms and rich melodies neatly together. She proves with her second disc that "Charm Attack" was by no means the limit of her impressive pop abilities.