Close to the Sun

iTunes Review

The lead guitarist for power-pop stalwarts Fountains of Wayne, Jody Porter performs pop music that could easily find itself being placed with his band. However, that band, already dominated by the works of Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood, leaves Porter in the role of George Harrison, forced to issue his own songs on his own solo albums. It’s a great situation for power-pop lovers as these songs are bright and crisp and every bit as powerful as anything by Fountains of Wayne. If they lack the immediate commercial eye of Fountains and their ironic subtexts, the songs bring back the hooks in place. “Twilite,” “A Beautiful Life” and “Aurora” are immediately friendly on the ears. “To the Moon” and “Good to Be Alone” have a luminous beauty to their slow, forlorn melodies. “You’re Not Alone” cuts with the tight, jamming guitar work that’s made Porter an in-demand session guitarist with musicians such as Jesse Malin, David Mead, Juliana Hatfield and others. So many great tunes to choose from: “Waiting for the Stars,” “In Between Time,” “The Kids Get Higher.” Porter deserves to be a star on his own terms.