Pete Droge is not only known as a root rocker with a modest solo career, but recently also as a member of the trio The Thorns, with kindred spirits Matthew Sweet and Shawn Mullins. Also on his fourth album Skywatching, the singer, once launched by guitarist Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, performs twelve sympathetic songs, in which especially the resemblance to the voice of Tom Petty is striking. With
… the difference that Droge's voice is less expressive but more beautiful. Melodic songs like All Lit Up and Do Me True sound refreshing in all their unpretentiousness. In his arrangements Droge prefers a traditional band sound with drums mixed into the background, a warm guitar sound and the occasional accents of a steel guitar, wind instruments or a Rhodes piano. Not a record designed to shock the world, but one that is very nice to listen to. (MS)more