Clean

Album Review

Singer/songwriter David Steinhart made a name for himself as the melody-driven frontman for '80s L.A.-based bands Pop Art and Smart Brown Handbag, delivering a canon of sweet and smart pop. With the release of his third solo recording, Steinhart stays the course and presents something that is light, folksy, and moving with smooth pop grooves. Aptly titled Clean, this 12-track disc is simple and earnest with subtle, yet catchy tunes. In short, it is exactly what a good pop recording should be. Strings and horns, drum tracks, and crystalline production complete the tableau as Steinhart and producer John Glogovac make music reminiscent of radio-friendly pop from the latter-day '70s, moving forward with new wave guitars and navel-gazing lyrics. Steinhart's comfortable baritone blends well with an excellent supporting team of musicians that features not only Steinhart himself on drums and guitar, but also Cindy Albon, Steve Andreoni, and Johnny G on low-toned upright and bass guitar. Standout tracks include the jazz-inflected "The Smaller Person" and an acoustic, sparsely rendered song, "Grace." Clean is neither startling nor earth-shattering, and it's almost so quiet that it runs the risk of coasting just under the radar. Be that as it may, David Steinhart has made a disc full of sensitive, easy-flowing, mellow pop, charting the course of adult relationships and human emotions. Those who seek out this recording will be justly rewarded for their efforts.