Jealous Sound

During the course of a three-album career as Knapsack's singer/front-personality, Blair Shehan wrote some of the catchiest, sharpest Emo-Pop songs this side of the Promise Ring. His most phenomenal attribute is probably his voice. Its dynamic, jet fighter-like shrieks and seething yet calming tones have been the focal point of all his music for good reason -- no one sounds like Blair Shehan. Jealous Sound, his new solo effort, offers a bit more method and a little less madness, and possibly picks up where Knapsack's final and best album, 1998's This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now, left off. Jealous Sound's crafty songs -- featuring piano and patient, mature songwriting and arranging, in addition to the usual bass, guitar and drums -- hint at great things to come.