Sherwood - A Different Light

The "experiment" that is MySpace Records begins with a bang by way of California's own Sherwood and their sophomore LP A Different Light. Sherwood's sound nicely delivers a little something for everyone with tinges of upbeat pop/punk, electronica, and smooth acoustic balladry. For the most part, this makes the album, while admittedly easy to like, a minor rehash of things you've already heard. This fact does tend to make the album that much more listenable as you fish out the Beach Boys-esque harmonies and songwriting cues of bands like The Get Up Kids, however. But while the entire album is well done, the band really hits its songwriting stride in its second half with standout tracks such as the electronic minded "Alley Cat," the 70s influenced "Give Up!," the acoustic track "The Simple Life," and the title track, a surprisingly good California rock tune. A Different Light may be a pop record, but it's a very good one that should make people stand up and take notice. [www.sherwoodmusic.net]