Brian Michael Roff "A Sweet Science"

Brian Michael Roff is a high-tech computer whiz during the day, folkie country-rocker at night. It makes for an interesting point of discussion: is the artist who holds firm to an image that doesn't suit them more honest than the one who admits that it's but a hobby for them? The college graduate who wears overalls and sings about being a soldier in the civil war is one thing, but going about as if you've been toiling the land all day long since the day you were walking is another--espeically if you've never lived anywhere outside of a big city. There's a certain level of credibility that I demand when it comes to my 'country' singers. I do not believe Joe Indie Rocker With a Banjo is more country than the pretty-boy on CMT; both of them look extremely foolish in my eyes, and they both seem less than honest. Just because you can quote Hank Williams doesn't cut it anymore.

What does this have to do with Brian Michael Roff, then? Nothing, really. I have nothing to complain about when it comes to his third record, A Sweet Science. I just don't call it country, and neither should you. Instead, you should call it what it is: a pretty good collection of songs from a young-but-daily-growing singer/songwriter. Roff sings without pretention and with a sweet, seductive croon. Thankfully, he doesn't fall into the traps of lesser musicians of this style; never once do I think "Will Oldham," and that's enough to give the boy a thumbs-up review right there. It doesn't hurt that he's assisted by TW Walsh, another soon-to-be well-known up-and-coming heir in the country-folk family tree.

I'm happy to report that A Sweet Science is a fine little record. Though it's a bit brief, and the formula never really seems to change, I can't argue with his formua, because it works quite well for him. The only problem is that this closely-followed formula occasionally makes the songs sound a little samey, but it's not that much of a problem. Tasteful guitar, with occasional flushes of piano, violin, banjo, saxophone, drums and even some beats, the album is a wonderful little blend of folk, country and singer/songwriter fare. Roff never leans too heavily on any of those three styles, making him just short of being labelled any of those styles, which frees A Sweet Science from any kind of classificable trap, making the album a pleasant, free-from-pretense listening experience.

Alt.country/folk/indie rock has enough problems these days, but Brian Michael Roff isn't one of them. Songs like "Beach Street Blues," and "I Thought The Swans Were Fake" are good enough to make you come back to Roff, and they certainly are a sign that Roff is a man who is just coming into his own. Personally, I'm looking forward to it; A Sweet Science needs little work to make it perfect, and as this is a young man just starting out on his career, it certainly makes his future look quite appealing.

--Joseph Kyle