JOHN BRANNEN may not be a household name in this country, but his new album is well worth seeking out. Much of North Carolina-based Brannen s music has a Bruce Springsteen feeling to it, but his vocal delivery often recalls Roy Orbison, while some of the

JOHN BRANNEN may not be a household name in this country, but his new album is well worth seeking out.

Much of North Carolina-based Brannen's music has a Bruce Springsteen feeling to it, but his vocal delivery often recalls Roy Orbison, while some of the guitar playing in his songs is in the Mark Knopfler vein.

If all that sounds like a strange combination, it may be - but it works! All 12 songs on the new album were written, or co-written, by Brannen, and continue the impressive standard set on his previous CD The Good Thief.

The music will probably be called Americana, a label often used these days for artists working on the borders of country music. But Brannen can rock when he wants to, and his lyrics are intelligent and thoughtful.

One to watch.