A.J. Croce

A.J. Croce has been issuing smartly composed roots rock/pop for quite some time now, and he continues to do so on his 2009 release, Cage of Muses. Issued via his own record label, Seedling Records, Croce has certainly studied his classic rock records, as the album is one heck of a tuneful listen from front to back. And while the instrumentation may certainly be of the "vintage" variety, you just have to give a listen to the album's first three tracks to see that Croce is not confined to one approach: case in point, the Traveling Wilburys-esque album opener, "Gold and Green," as well as a song that sounds not far off from the style that A.J.'s late father (Jim Croce) specialized in, "You've Said Too Much," and the piano-based "Coraline." Elsewhere, you'll find soul/gospel-esque sounds ("I Want It All") and the country-tinged "Where Are We Now." Cage of Muses is further proof that A.J. Croce remains one of the more underrated roots rockers out there at the moment. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide