“Best Album of the Year”!

Steven Leibman’s debut album “I Know They’re There” has won the 2011 Times Argus Tammie Award for “Best Album of the Year.”

“I was caught off guard by “I Know They’re There” by Steven Leibman. It was submitted by a complete unknown, his first-ever recording effort, and he’s 63 years old. What chutzbah to think someone nearing Medicare age could do a freshman album this strong. Well, chalk one up for an aging baby boomer. As I wrote in my review, ‘Leibman, who performs on guitar and piano, sings in a smoky, somewhat raspy voice with a bluesy edge. He’s a much better vocalist than (Leonard) Cohen, but the two share a talent for writing clever, idea centered words that are poetically powerful.’ The lyrics require your attention. the music is well crafted, and the whole production says quality. There’s no lightweight here, no pap; it’s almost an X-rated CD in parts, and it goes well with single malt Scotch, not Bud Lite. For mature listeners for sure.”

– Art Edelstein/Music Critic/Times Argus – 12/29/11; “And the winner is…The 2011 Tammie Awards”