Secondhand Dreaming (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Aaron Sprinkle (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Dustin Ruth (vocals, guitar); John Davis & the Georgia Sea Island Singers (vocals); Randy Torres (guitar); Phil Peterson (cello); Aaron Mlasko (drums).

Additional personnel: John Davis (pedal steel guitar); Aaron Sprinkle, Phil Peterson.

Audio Mixer: J.R. McNeely.

Recording information: Compound Studios, Seattle, WA; London Bridge Studios, Seattle, WA.

Illustrator: Ryan Clark .

Photographer: Shane McCauley.

Pop with a bit of bite, so it's not confused with the Britneys of the world. There are countless artists who could fit under this wide umbrella come the early 21st century, and the Battle Ground, WA-based quartet Ruth is certainly one such band. Although the band formed only two years before their full-length debut, 2007's Secondhand Dreaming, Ruth's sound is akin to such '90s pop/rockers as the Gin Blossoms and the Counting Crows (Ryan Adams also comes to mind at certain points). While there's certainly nothing groundbreaking here, there's no denying that Ruth knows how to pen very melodic pop. Tracks such as "One Foot in, One Foot Out" and the leadoff single, "Cross the Line," should have no problem attracting the attention of the American Idol crowd. But not all of Secondhand Dreaming is upbeat, as evidenced by such "down" ditties as "Figure You Out" and "Love Me Like You Do," while "Well with Soul" proves that, like most bands signed to the Tooth and Nail label, Ruth is Christian rock. ~ Greg Prato minimize