By: Carlyn Worthy
Rating: 8.5/11

Many artists make their start by joining a group to gain recognition. Once they’ve garnered enough exposure, these artists attempt to shy away from their polished image provided by big record companies and pursue their creative ambitions. British guitarist Jody Porter (formerly of Fountains of Wayne) proves it’s more than possible to shed the pop-rock skin with his debut solo album Close To The Sun (Engine Room Recordings, Released May11, 2010).

While not the best vocalist, Porter displays his remarkable skill and unique ear for sound by producing a smooth fusion of rock and jazz. In “Twilite” Porter creates a slow but steady rock ballad complimented with cymbals. He also smartly eliminated competition between instruments, highlighting a different one in each song, like “In Between Time” – possibly the strongest track on the album – where a horn can be heard immediately followed by a melodic guitar and lively snare. In the somber yet affectionate “You’re Not Alone,” Porter changes the sound by making listeners forget the slow tempo and in its place provides an elusive energy.

Impressively, Porter created an album that flows with ease. Every music lover has experienced the feeling of opening a new CD and listening begrudgingly as they realized it was front-loaded. This album can be played from start to finish without skipping over a single track, a rarity in this industry. Even better, Close To The Sun is a jack of all trades in its ability to adapt. This album would compliment your morning run, a lazy afternoon by the pool or an evening drive. Porter’s music is reminiscent of Brit-rock familiars Oasis, Stereophonics and Kula Shaker. With this album, he has successfully created enough variation to stand out, while drawing in the tracks with enough cohesion and consistency to make the artwork a whole.