PETER STUART
Propeller Girl (Vanguard)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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For fans of the rock styling popularized by the Counting Crows or The Dave Mathews band, Peter Stuart's album Propeller will make a nice addition to their record collection. Spinning a down-to-earth guitar and string driven sound around visceral lyrics of love, loss and redemption, Stuart appears ready to garner a foothold in the genre of emotionally driven pop.

Propeller is just over 40-minutes in length and full of light tracks, worthy of Sunday morning rotation, when the past week and life are in a state of reflection. Nothing Stuart deals with his music in as vexing to him as the trail of lost loves he's left behind -- or maybe more importantly, those who have left him behind. Songs like "Propeller Girl" and "With My Heart In Your Hands" are each uplifting, smirking paeans to simpler times and more complete senses of self. In a more introspective mood, Stuart delves into bluer, jazzy tones for the rainy day anthem "Let's Get Lost" and sprinkling pianos for the slow dancing, "Here I Am."

Honest and evocative, Peter Stuart stands ready to accompany the New York Times crossword and coffee moments of many before he's through.

© 2002 - Erick Mertz