Brent Cash

Never one to hide his influences, Brent Cash owes a huge debt to the likes of Burt Bacharach and the Association, because it's their classic pop sound that he tries so hard to emulate. And on his 2008 debut, How Will I Know If I'm Awake, he absolutely nailed it. While the songs on his first album were helped by the immaculate, intricate arrangements, this time around they are mired by them. He's so intent on producing something that sounds authentic that the songs suffer as a result. Too many tracks lack the hooks to make them memorable and Cash puts way too much effort into creating music that genuinely sounds like it could have come from the easy-listening AM radio of the '60s and '70s. It isn't a complete bust though, as How Strange It Seems is always pleasant, but it just isn't anything more or less than he's done in the past. Those new to Brent Cash will be in awe of his orchestral pop abilities, but those returning are much more likely to be unimpressed. He needs some new tricks before starting on album number three.