Leif Vollebekk has one of those voices that you can’t exactly put a finger on.

It sways with a callous rhythm à la adult-contempo big-timers such as Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson, but at times, it lingers on the fray with a sort of devilish charm, reminiscent of Blood on the Tracks-era Dylan. However you classify Vollebekk and his subtle, building folk masterpieces, his sound is one that stays with you. Inland, his debut full-length, contains a certain theatrical touch. Songs like “In the Midst of Blue and Green” showcase Vollebekk’s talent as a multi-instrumentalist, with sweeping touches of piano giving the track a home during a rainy montage on the big screen. For all Vollebekk’s adult-pop leanings and movie-ready tracks, he maintains a sense of honesty on Inland, and it's one existing in the heartfelt tone of the record, which when you break it down, comes out in spades.

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Pop Matters