It's tempting to dismiss brad as another Seattle side project, another collection of famous and near-famous musicians (Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard, solo artist Jeremy Toback, Shawn Smith and Regan Hagar from Satchel) doing that mostly spontaneous jam thing. But what's most notable about Interiors, Brad's second effort, is the pure pop focus of these nuanced compositions: the somber piano lilt that underpins "The Day Brings," the vague echo of Neil Young that drives "Circle and Line" and the fragile elegy "Upon My Shoulders" – one of several showcases for Smith's imploring, falsetto-kissed vocals. Classic grunge devices such as lumbering backbeats and roaring, pile-driving rhythm guitars do creep into the mix, but those Seattle-isms are just a couple of tools in Brad's shed. (RS 766)

TOM MOON