DAN BRYK "LOVER'S LEAP" (Scratchie Records)

You have to like someone who claims their favourite colour is #0A0361 (which is geek for a deep royal blue), who writes songs about being overweight, programming his Apple II and in his bio notes that he "recently broke up with his long-time girlfriend." Kind of like a Ben Folds Five / Flaming Lips piano-driven self-absorbed wistful storytelling album for perplexed loners. "She Doesn't Mean a Thing to Me Tonight" is reprised from his first album Asshole. While this CD is mostly bright and novelty-pop-like, there are some great brave songs like "And Now Our Love is Dead" and "I Love You Goodbye." Contributions from Kathleen Yearwood, Kurt Swinghammer and Danny Michel are swellegant. Sweet and sad and funny sometimes. And very personal and charming.

Gabino Travassos