Classic roots, modern fire: Dave Lebental’s "Stylus".

Dave Lebental plays piano and sings rock with heart. His music mixes old-school vibes with real stories.

Dave Lebental started in the 90s with Sunflower and Placebo Royale. Fans followed him through California's live scene. He's played with big names and built a quiet fanbase. Now he leads Karma Train, a strong live band. They play songs full of feeling and strong melodies. So the music still sounds like classic rock. He writes, records, and puts it out himself. That way, he keeps things real and true. His style feels personal, not flashy. He doesn't chase trends or follow rules. The songs stay simple, honest, and true to life. It seems like people still connect with that sound. Plus, there's a quiet power in how he speaks through music.

Stylus is Dave Lebental's second solo album, and it is a wonderful extension of what he had done with his piano-centred rock style, revisiting the classics with a fresh touch of deep introspection.

Each piece of music has a certain emotional thread running in it deeply, as the lyrical content is centred around the musings of a person on the ideas of maturity, overcoming difficulties, love and change on the deepest level.

The very first piece Addition By Subtraction is not just a wonderful song because it reveals the essence of music, but it also acts as an ideal guide to the whole album. The style of music is primarily based on expressive piano lines and carefully layered instrumental parts that emphasise the idea that, often, growth is the result of loss. The singing of Lebental is double-sided; it first makes one feel a bit wary and then, at the same time, gives an impression of freedom, as it perfectly emphasises the idea conveyed in the lyrics.

Momentum kicks back with "Changing The Way I Feel" faster beats come in, full of that push, forward energy. It feels like stepping into a new phase. Karma Train plays together really well here, tight, real, like it's live. The song talks about changing how you feel. Full of hope, moving ahead. Hopium goes deeper. Piano drives the tune, lyrics face addiction, fear, and shaky hope. Lebental sings with raw truth. You feel it. The layers in the music show how hard it is to keep going, but also how brief peace can be.

"Race To The Bottom" changes tone. Sharp guitar takes over. Feels wild, defiant. Talks about modern stress and pressure. The drums push hard. Making the song feel urgent. Lebental keeps the fire in his voice. "I Can Always Count On You" feels cosy. Trust and showing up shine, even in hard times. The piano hums gently, letting the lyrics take centre stage. Quiet, genuine, a moment you'd never forget.

"Mindy Please" bursts with energy. A fresh beat and jazz flair keep it lively. It is light, almost playful, but there's a gentle warmth beneath. Lebental shows how jokes can hold feelings too.

In "True Understanding", the song dives into how we connect. The piano starts slowly, then grows stronger. Plus, the words talk about listening, being kind, and really seeing someone. The beginning is peaceful, but by the time it's finished, you are more vulnerable and genuine.

"Not Exactly As You Planned" is indeed an introspective track on the album. This song reflects on the unpredictability of life and the discrepancies between our expectations and reality. With changing dynamics and an emotive piano performance, Lebental depicts the emotional depth of coming to terms with life's flaws. The last track of the album is "You Figure It Out. " This track by itself represents a reflective and somewhat easy, going wrap, up of the album's story.

The song, rather than giving a definite solution, conveys the doubt and the process of the self, discovery. Its relaxed tone provides a calm closure that emphasises the principal motifs of the record: resistance, development, and introspection.