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Listening to AJ Rosales’ latest release “Ultramarine”, I find myself wanting more. Unfortunately, it’s not because it was so amazing that I must hear more, but rather that it seems to be missing something. Cohesiveness, perhaps? Direction, maybe? On the other hand, it’s a pretty creative album, and he definitely earns my respect there. Because I’m so torn about how I feel about this record, I’m going to present my review in a point/counterpoint-type format.

Positive: The melodies are almost perfect. While there are a few things I might have changed if I was involved in the production process, they are absolutely memorable and you will definitely feel yourself humming them to yourself even after one listen. Not to mention that they are not your regular 4 chord progression – there is real depth here that is seemingly non-existant nowadays.

Negative: My first main problem with this disc is that it’s being marketed as “folk rock”, however the first songs remind me of the alternative rock of the 90′s. It could be that my definition of folk rock is narrow minded, but when I imagine “folk rock”, guitar solos heavy on the distortion aren’t the first things that come to mind. This might not sound like a major gripe, but as soon as I’m even aware of the existance of an album, I start imagining what it might sound like, but being bombarded with loud drums and a fairly screaming guitar when I’m expecting an acoustic guitar and a violin isn’t the way that you necessarily want to impress me.

Positive: “Brand New Offering” is far and away my favorite song Mr. Rosales has recorded this go round. Intricate guitar work and perfectly sung lyrics paint a picture of self-realization and imperfection which fit together like two pieces of a beautiful puzzle. While he sings about how he keeps letting love slip through his fingers, it seems like he is slowly realizing that the old adage of “it’s not you, it’s me” might have a sliver of truth it. This track will definitely be finding its way to my Zune.

Undecided: After listening to the album twice, I can’t help but think that while the first quarter of the album reminds me of bands like Everclear and possibly even Third Eye Blind, the other 3 quarters remind me of someone who has listened to entirely too much Jack Johnson. I wouldn’t say this is absolutely a bad thing as I do like me a little JJ every once in a while, but it seems like all the same stylings are there.

All in all, “Ultramarine” is a decent album with the potential to be amazing. The songwriting is nothing short of spectacular and inventive; the lyrics intense and intelligent. My only gripes have to do with the production of the album and the technicalities that have to do more with the recording process rather than the music itself. If I ever see an acoustic version of this album, I will stop at nothing to have it.

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