With the influx of hard-rock screeching bands in music these days, sometimes their more melodic, song-based compatriots get the short end of the stick.  Case in point: The Graham Colton Band.  If they came out around ten years ago with bands like Green Day, Counting Crows, Soul Asylum, Gin Blossoms, Collective Soul, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Matthew Sweet, they would have been huge.  Instead, they are out on the road trying to drum up a following for their tight, guitar-based alt-rock melodies. 

I hope they find it.  Drive is one of those classic guitar pop albums that are just tailor-made for cruising down a highway in a bitchin' convertible, stereo booming.  The musicianship and the songcraft are tight as a cheerleader's sweater and Colton's voice is a sturdy pop instrument. 

The guitar pop onboard is not trying to reinvent the wheel, and that's okay.  With songs like the jangly "Don't Give Up On Me" and the tormented folk-rock of "Morning Light" sound instantly familiar and yet at the same time wonderfully unique.  "First Week" is another sparkling pop tune which has every necessary element to become a surprise hit like "Stacy's Mom" was last year.  "Cigarette" also skips along on a catchy guitar line with focus and force.  He can also get introspective on the sweetly pretty "Killing Me."