School of Fish

Josh Clayton-Felt was one of the many fantastic songwriters that emerged in the early '90s with a hot debut album that was quickly forgotten about when grunge arrived. Although School of Fish had a minor hit with the rolling "3 Strange Days," there were several equally great songs on the album that should have made a dent. "Talk Like Strangers" had a nice lazy shuffle and a funky breakdown, while "King of the Dollar" rocks hard and strong. The psychedelic production and Michael Ward's guitar work strengthen the weaker songs. Clayton-Felt's rich, soulful voice is what makes this album a treat, and his ear for catchy hook lines make this a solid, listenable album. Much like contemporaries Jellyfish and Dramarama, School of Fish called it quits a few years later and Clayton-Felt had a strong solo career that was cut short by his tragic death. Fans of good guitar pop should hunt down this album; it might introduce you to an unrecognized talent.