The first song didn't do much for me though its got a lot of external vibrancy and guitar amplification and other assorted interesting effects that don't really cover its relative plainness-it's been heard before quite a lot.

Now "Closer to Myself" really takes things over and well what do you know… I've gotten to know myself a whole lot better!

And I do dig that pick on strings effect and the harmonics during the chorus really make this one go not to mention the strong finish… and insightfully written-"I'm Closer to Myself" than we've ever been!

If they were a little less clean cut one might get a false notion I'd assume… Radford's self-titled debut features a hard-edged pop style that ranges now and again toward a heavier rock alternative all the while sticking close to a home built on harmony and listener friendly choruses.

Late model Goo Goo Dolls are a good place to start when reaching for the obvious comparisons though I might frame Radford a little more toward the center of Oasis-like surroundings.

I like the guitar harmonies that intersperse among the pre-chorus during many of the songs' early moments and Jonny Mead has one of those catchy voices that seems to belong wherever it wanders and eventually settles.

"Come On" was the next here that really got me to sit up in my seat and reaffirms my earlier thought that they've caught quite a bit of that Oasis vibe particularly during the guitar rush and background vocals that boost the volume that extra level pushing them slightly above that atypical acoustic-pop ballad zone that becomes little more than a disadvantage to artists striving to be reach more than the most enlightened of listeners.

Their multi-tiered vocals really do boast an addictive quality though-but here by song eight we return to the grown-up-overnight maturity where seriousness and pleading take center stage.

Radford's music already has made its way onto a recent film and soundtrack for "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" and shouldn't be long before it makes its way into your own mind and makes itself comfortable for a while.

Excellent packaging as well, with the three-fold case and card photo inserts with the lyric notes!

Released by RCA

Review By Vinnie Apicella