Derek Cruz

LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE CD/EP "SHHH..." NOW Derek Cruz - "shhh..." CD/EP Now Available: Click Here "Why don't you fit," South Floridian songwriter Derek Cruz croons part way through his self released debut album. It's truly easy to see why he would ask such an audacious question. In this age of tricky metaphors and adventurous instrumentation, Cruz is content just being himself. Earnest and honest, he is neither pop icon nor folk obscurest. He approaches his songs with simple sensibility and warmth that can sometimes be devoid in both pop and folk music today. Addressing life, tragedy and love, Cruz creates an album that is completely identifiable to anybody from any walk of life.Cruz is well versed in classic rock, and it certainly shines through on his album. On "Ghost", Cruz plays a latter day James Taylor, letting the slow tempo and harmony create an atmosphere for its listener. The chiming guitars mesh well with the despondent and hapless vocals to put you into a solemn mood. Then suddenly, the song switches its attitude and becomes a lively, intense pop ballad. This theme is recurrent throughout the album, and Cruz keeps the mood richly intimate. On "Palmetto and Powerline", a primarily piano driven din about a real life tragic car accident he witnessed, he is a modest spectator to something almost unbearable. You can feel his mordant sense of helplessness, when he mutters, "How could this happen..."The album isn't completely wrought in melodrama; Cruz also showcases his lighthearted appeal in songs like "Clementine." Unequivocally, the albums strongest track is the infectiously catchy Always Ending in A. That's where Cruz finds his mass appeal. He keeps it simple, yet still deeply involved. Profound, but never ambiguous. He trades frivolous experimentation for raw emotion and talent.And it's a combination of simplicity, longing and pure musical proficiency that could one day elevate him to great heights.