Michael Brennan - Anywhere But Here (Independent) Anywhere But Here is the second album by Michael Brennan, a gifted singer-songwriter based in Toronto. His brand of urban-country is big on emotion, which he delivers in a voice which owes much to Roy Orbison and a little to Mavericks’ vocalist, Raul Malo. His songs, desperate vignettes, born on the wrong side of the tracks, walk ankle deep in every trouble known to man. If that all sounds a bit hopeless and forlorn, don’t worry. Brennan’s arrangements are considerably brighter that the stories he tells, and aided by Norah Jones guitarist Kevin Breit, he sets about his task with zeal. His “Mystery Train” is a percussive take on the rock n’ roll classic which features a great vocal and some very funky Hammond organ. “Troubled Mind” may linger on the darker side of life, but Brennan sings it like Johnny Cash fronting the Tennessee Three and behind him, the band play some dirty rock n’ roll like they’ve a point to make. Things get considerably more sedate on “Not Myself”, a Jimmie Dale Gilmore style weepie. The term “country rock” may cause more confusion than insight these days, but at the risk of driving a few people away, I’m happy to apply it to Anywhere But Here, and if you’re not sure, scoot over to www.michaelbrennan.com or www.myspace.com/michaelbrennanmusic and see what you think. Rob F. Next