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“So hold on my darlin’ it’s going to be bumpy,” warns Jason Harwell in “California,” the opening track of the musical diary that is _Alive in the Fall_. Transition, displacement, restlessness, desire, drudgery ­ Harwell uses the very stuff that beats a person down as the base course for a freshly paved highway toward a newly inspired life, laying down these brilliant songs as the center line for the listener to follow.

The impeccable production by The Glitter Twins (Gabriel Wilson and Solo from the Rock ‘N’ Roll Worship Circus) subtly nudges Harwell’s smart songwriting into the spotlight. The songs on “Alive in the Fall” unfold like a memorable coffee shop conversation with a longtime friend ­ a mix of bittersweet recollection, speculation about the future, and laughter about the sometimes-dreadful present: “I may not be the best bang for your buck / it’s all right / so what if I fall flat on my face? / a posterboy for the never was (“Somewhere the sun”)”; “Three cups of coffee to the wind / and I can’t wait until this afternoon / You see that it’s not that I hate my job / I just wish I didn’t have to go (“Just another run-of-the-mill day”).” Every half-smile Harwell generates with his clever turn of a phrase is conversely matched with a deep stare of personal  recognition: “I can’t say I love you / if there’s something I won’t do (“California”),” “I wished the Lord would take you home / I’m sad that wish came true (“A nice day for a blue suit”).”

With instantly likeable melodies and beautiful arrangements, Harwell’s songs feel fantastic ­ a favorite flannel of acoustic rock.

Recommended if you like Pete Yorn, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Elms, Coldplay, the softer side of Weezer.

Greg Adams  8/8/2004