Miss Massive Snowflake – “Miss Massive Snowflake” – [North Pole Records]

An out-of-print gem from 2006, on a little 3-inch CD. Three unpretentious songs about family, lovers, and animals by Portland’s Shane de Leon, who has got to be one of the most down-to-earth singer/ songwriters you’re likely to hear. Nylon-string guitar and vocals appear on every song, with Shane and collaborator Kathrine Siefert adding other instruments (keyboards, horns, bass, percussion, electric stuff) to round out the sound. Heartfelt and nice.