***1/2 David Grow

. . . WELL

(Back Nine)

The tiny room behind David Grow's bedroom in Malibu Lake, California, may be cramped, but it's no doubt an inspirational little chamber. That's where the LA-based singer-songwriter-guitarist produced and recorded his debut release, a fine collection of hard folk, soft grunge, smart pop, and beautifully edgy ballads. Bassist Lance Morrison and drummer Matt Laug divided their time between Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill sessions and Grow's home studio, and (isn't it ironic?) managed to check the Pill project's outlandishly cultivated attitude at Grow's back door and play these unpretentious tunes from the gut. Grow breaks no new ground; think Counting Crows, Matthew Sweet, recent Lemonheads. Guitars ring, melodies infect, and angst oozes, although the beast of faith and redemption rears its unlikely head amid the ruins (on the lovely, languorous "Receive" and on "After the Pain," a buoyant rock waltz). Indeed, the album veers dangerously close to becoming one big broken-hearted missive to the girl that got away. But Grow sings with raw, guileless delicacy, and there are few infractions one wouldn't forgive for a line like "Why don't you shut up and eat your fish."

-- Joan Anderman