Alex Woodard

The gruff-voiced singer/songwriter has earned comparisons to Dave Matthews and David Gray, and his promotional materials are excited to proclaim a band that features members of the Posies, Sunny Day Real Estate, Fountains of Wayne, and Gigolo Aunts. It's better to get beyond the hype and find the poignancy and top-down power pop joy of these melodic, blues-influenced rockers. They're less artsy and improvisational than Matthews' best material, with fewer sonic surprises but perhaps a tighter focus. An intense guitarist who is also well-versed on acoustic piano and B-3 (used mostly for harmony lines), Woodard's truest gift is his storytelling. "Billie Holiday" is what he and his ex-lover used to listen to as they lay in bed all day; a read through the icon-filled lyrics might have you expecting jazz, but it's a tough rocker all the way. "Levitate" is a gritty prayer for a friend's deliverance, while "Slow" paints stark images of New Orleans over a brooding groove that explodes at the chorus. Those opening tracks have the listener expecting a total guitar album, but the introspective "Rise" (a song filled with hope amidst despair) is a showcase for Woodard's piano skills. "Drive Me Down" blends the lightheartedness of his acoustic piano with brimming B-3 riffs and a power guitar-driven anthemic hook. "Welcome to L.A." is a haunting waltz-like tribute to the big city reminiscent of Marc Cohn's best work. Overall, very strong, unpretentious rock with diverse elements that keep it hopping as it seduces you. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide