Solitaire for Two
Tad Dreis' sophomore attempt sounds like an alt-country response to The Beatles' Rubber Soul with its soothing guitars and earthy melodies.
The only problem with Solitaire for Two is Dreis sometimes falls into triteness that ends up sounding like The Beatles playing on Fisher-Price instruments and deriving their lyrical inspiration from J. Lo.
But it is important to recognize that there is clear talent in Dreis' music -- the album just sounds as if it were released prematurely. With a little more work, all the songs could have been given the same poppy playability as "Back in a Few" and "Bureau de Change," the album's only instantly appealing songs.
Unfortunately, a number of songs on Solitaire for Two have weak elements that foil their strengths. "I Said I," the album's opening track, is indicative of how Dreis' songwriting sometimes lacks cohesion.
The instrumentals found within are simplistic, taking advantage of beautifully upbeat acoustic strumming and minimal drumming. It's the type of music that saturates your car when you're driving around on sunny days with your windows down, somewhat like a sonic sunshine found in some Wilco song.
But where Jeff Tweedy creates abstract images that roam the listener's head, Dreis writes a Hallmark card about missing a lover.
