What might happen, musically speaking, if Jack Johnson and Paul McCartney got together for a long weekend in the Mediterranean.

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, POP: Quirky



Details:
Progress. Music critics take it for granted. Whether it's good or not, novelty and the next new thing are always around the block. But check the backyard, Chuck, cause James Cavanaugh's got the home cooking at a rolling boil. These 10 tracks are an education in the best kind of restraint, where less is always a little bit more and the parts make up a distinctive whole. Centered on voice and guitar, the arrangements add a dash of muted trumpet, a touch of tasty percussion, but always in the service of the songs. James' vocals show staggering range, from plaintive to acerbic to downright sweet. Tuneful, direct and unaffected, this is some of the best pop music I've heard in years.
This CD is a square deal.