The name Shaun Barrowes may only ring a bell to the most devout American Idol fan, which -- depending on your point of view -- is either for better or for worse.
His brief foray into the pop culture mainstream notwithstanding, Barrowes more than holds his own with his debut album, Big Bang Theory. When he's not licensing his music to animated children's shows and winning countless indie competitions (most recently, the Slice the Pie competition, which allowed him the needed funds to catapult his career), he's channeling all the singer-songwriter greats on such tracks as "When I Take Your Hand" (romantic without being cloying), "Hop, Skip, and a Jump" (think Jerry Lee Lewis on Red Bull), and "Somebody Like You" (an American Jamie Cullum).
Comparisons aside, Barrowes' music is shown strong on this solid debut album, which -- while clearly defined -- shows that he has room to grow and evolve while remaining true to his artistic vision.
FILE UNDER: Indie, singer-songwriter
SOUNDS LIKE: Jerry Lee Lewis, Jamie Cullum
MUST HEAR: "Somebody Like You."
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