This 7" was released 4 years after the initial Todd Newman and the Leatherwoods 7". The main track, "Happy Ain't Comin Home" is featured on the CD release, Topeka Oratorio, which was released at the same year.
It's a marked improvement over the Leatherwoods initial release. It's stripped down version of Todd Newman's vision and if Tim O'Reagan wasn't contributing to the duo, this would be called singer-songwriter. For the better, the power-pop moves are stripped away. It may be by choice, but also probably in large part to the fact the Leatherwoods were just a duo. It's a better sound for Newman and also showcases the reason O'Reagan is now a member of the Jayhawks.
The duo had officially left Topeka and Lawrence, KS behind at this point for Minneapolis, MN. The CD Topeka Oratorio, is found on Minnesota blogs as a genuine nugget of the town's sound (a lot of that because it features legendary Replacements frontman, Paul Westerberg, playing under the name, Pablo Louserama). The 7" is worth seeking out. Of note, the same label that released Jon Harrison's The What Gives.
As stated, O'Reagan keeps busy in the highly recommended and acclaimed band, The Jayhawks. Todd Newman remains constant with music. He's released a grip of CDs since this, some of which were recorded back home in Kansas with Ed Rose.
Full 7", The Leatherwoods
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