MIKE FERRARO & THE YOUNG REPUBLICANS – What’s Yours Is Mine (www.mikeferraro.net)

Delivering 12 perfectly crunchy’n’punchy pop-rock songs that not only bristle with a nifty blend of snap and tunefulness, but also offer a finely affecting line in regret and introspection, this album definitely does the trick. The raspy vocals possess a certain ragged charm while the rippin’ guitars, neatly poppin’ basslines, and peppy drums keep things bounding along at a constant forward-ho clip. The basic tone is pretty downbeat, but still quite moving and reflective just the same. A sturdy and touching little winner.