Cool Rock

Thumb through Chris Lee's press kit and you will glimpse mentions of Tim Buckley, Colin Blunstone (The Zombies), Liz Fraser, Elliot Smith, Unrest, Paul Weller, Alex Chilton, and perhaps most frequently, Jeff Buckley. Though Lee is nearly universally loved by fans of the late singer, who was also known for a soaring falsetto, his wide fanship includes more than just Buckleyists. Lee is special because in a pop music arena dominated by shameless nostalgia-mining, blind fashion slavery, and overwrought technophilia, he is focusing on the one and only thing that has been perpetually in fashion-great songs well sung. If you're looking for an easy angle, a simple schtick, something more to sell, you're out of luck. The only reason you should be excited about COOL ROCK is because it's a work of substance and sophistication, nothing more or less. Because if you let it, it might actually resonate with you on a personal level. Because you might actually pull it out again in 2 or 10 years and find it's not only still listenable, but relevant.