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Mike Shupp The Key (Private Mind)

Even if I didn't like Mike Shupp's music, I'd be a fan, just because his name lends itself to great album titles. Try these on for size: Shupp And Jive, or Shupp 'Til You Drop, or "Turning Shuppanese". He could be the Greg Kihn of the new millennium!

Actually, Greg Kihn's unpretentious sound is not that far away from what you'll hear on The Key. Shupp's second album finds him plying a very straightforward brand of pop-rock that will appeal to fans of folks like Jim Basnight, The Plimsouls, Tommy Keene, Spooner and other artists from the 80's who appreciated the virtues of a biting guitar part married to an urgent melody. Produced by Shoes' Jeff Murphy, Shupp plays everything but the drums, where he is ably backed by Chris Zogby. The partnership with Murphy is appropriate, as a lot of Shupp's songs have a real Heartland feel, even though Shupp is based in the Eastern part of the country.

The level of craftsmanship is extremely high and matched by Shupp's commitment to the material. His voice is slightly sandpapery, which gives it an inherently attractive quality. Wisely, he resists the temptation to overemote. His tasteful guitar playing compliments his fine vocals. He knows when a lead guitar part should accompany the melody, but also knows when it can push the melody further. And the solos are as long as they need to be.

Many of the numbers tend towards the passionate side, such as fine slices of drama like "Keep Me Waiting", "Stranded" and "Waiting For Tomorrow". He balances these efforts with more light hearted fare, like "What Did You Mean" (great little lead guitar fills), and "Head On Straight", which reminded me of Will and The Bushmen and Robert Ellis Orrall. Shupp also does pensive well: "Don't Let Me See You This Way" floats in an acoustic jangle, like an old tune by The Sundays, and "Watching The Sun Go Down" is subtle and moving and ends the disc on a powerful note. The disc may not hit any extreme highs, but it is well stocked with above-average songs, and no clunkers.

OK, maybe my proposed punny album titles are a tradition that is thankfully ceased. But it's nice to hear someone like Mike Shupp to remind you how tuneful rock tunes are a tradition worth carrying on.