Pittsburgh-based singer/songwriter Brad Yoder derived considerable influence from folk veterans Bruce Cockburn and Dar Williams in developing his earnest pop/rock style, though his sound is far closer to contemporaries like Matthew Sweet, Elliott Smith, and Jason Falkner in their tunefulness. After two self-releases -- 1997's Best Sunday Heart and the 1999 acoustic live set Talk to Total Strangers -- Yoder hit his stride performing live in Pittsburgh-area coffeehouses. He was named Best Solo Musician in the 2001 InPittsburgh Newsweekly readers' poll, and financed his first "proper" CD that year entirely on donations from fans. Used was released on the Reverie Records imprint in summer 2002 to some critical acclaim, with Yoder continuing to tour small venues in the Northeast. ~ Joseph McCombs