Underwater

Audio Mixer: Kevin Augunas.Recording information: Fairfax Recordings.Photographer: Matt Wignall.Joshua Radin moved toward a more electric rock sound on 2010's The Rock and the Tide, but on 2012's Underwater he returns to the hushed and sincere singer/songwriter pop that filled his first two albums. A melodic, countrified album buoyed by some light orchestral touches, Underwater largely showcases Radin's vocals set against gently strummed acoustic guitar. However, it also doesn't hurt that Radin brought in a supergroup of backing musicians for this effort, including pianist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty), drummer Jim Keltner (Bob Dylan), organist Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (Jellyfish), and others. While Radin has a slight voice that he keeps at something just above a whisper much of the time, his vocal lines are still bright and pleasant. Tracks like the rambling "Let It Go" and the intimate "Five and Dime" are infectious nuggets of heartfelt and twangy folk-pop that stick in your head. Track