Sam Cash

Having good musical genes is no guarantee of talent (Julian Lennon, anyone?), but Sam Cash's are put to good use on this fine debut. Just 19, he's the son of Andrew (L'Etranger, the Cash Brothers) and nephew of Peter, and is clearly well connected within the T.O. scene. An impressive guest list includes Hayden, Josh Finlayson, Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas), Neil Quin (Zeus) and Serena Ryder, but they never dominate the proceedings. Cash's chief collaborator is producer/multi-instrumentalist Dave Clark (Rheostatics), and he keeps things sounding spontaneous. The title track (an album highlight) captures the feel of this still very young songsmith. No social or political commentary, just personal reflections of this oft-confusing and tempestuous time of life, written while on the job at a gas station. Cash has a slightly nasal, but appealing, vocal style, but it's the strong melodic sense he shows that catches the ear, as on the plaintive "What I'm Missing" and the snappy, Kinks-like "Broadview Bridge." This is a very promising beginning.