Greg Laswell: Through Toledo (Vanguard/Shock)

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Greg Laswell: Through Toledo (Vanguard/Shock)

The world is so cluttered with singer-songwriters that excellent albums like Josh Rouse's recent Subtitulo can go right past people. (That's a hint)

I expect this pop-rock outing by San Diego-based Laswell -- who plays just about every instrument here -- could suffer a similarly undeserved fate.

But there's a lot to like on these melodically meaty songs, some of which swirl and soar on an orchestral uplift of stacked up electric guitars.

There are elements of a more gritty Coldplay here, some similar emotional resonances as Jeff Buckley (without the vocal bravura), intelligent dynamics, and a broodiness that is compelling.

Got a feeling this guy is a real grower.

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