Scott Fisher

Portland, Oregon-bred piano-pop purveyor Scott Fisher is a striking talent as evidenced by this impressive eponymous set. "Nothing," the disc's opener, is a biting, mournful number that has the allure of Keane and the boldness of Ben Folds. If Fisher frequently draws comparisons to the latter it may only be because so few folks do the attitudinal piano thing this well, but his knack for songcraft is abundant and clear on keepers like "Humility" and "Tragedy Untold." Aside from having able pipes, Fisher is quite imaginative as he bounces from a Spoon-like thumper called "Chemicals" to a jazzy, ska-inflected rant "Struggle" with ease. Even if he's showing off on the heart-gushing "Interlude," he's insanely skilled. Fans of keyboard pop from Joe Jackson to Folds to Five for Fighting will not be disappointed.