For The Ride Home

Josh Kelley wears his debt to Dave Matthews very much on his sleeve on this assured debut, using both Matthews' producer and several of the mega-platinum stadium rocker's vocal tricks on a collection of songs that ranges from the radio-friendly "Amazing," through the folksy "Follow You," to the Bic-waving anthem "Old Time Memory."

Kelley's personable vocals and user-friendly songs rely less on jam-band musical athletics than good old-fashioned musicianship courtesy of a backing band that includes Jeff Buckley's former drummer and recalls both that band's interplay and some of the Wallflowers' organ-laced sound. With Kelley's songwriting smarts and an image that cultivates a low-key, singer-songwriter-next-door image, FOR THE RIDE HOME is a high-quality introduction to a refreshingly laid-back, musically assured singer.