Every once in a while an album comes along that wakes you up out of your musical apathy and starts stimulating new connections in your brain. "State of Change" - that's what it's all about.

A friend brought this CD over and gave it to me. I put it on and it started with "Happy Like You". He saw my eyebrows rising, because I was struck by the production quality and the rhythm. Then these lush male/female harmonies came in and I'm thinking...Wow! When have I last heard that? Steely Dan maybe? I like the end of the song too, where the 'na, na, nas' go soaring. All through the album the vocals are interesting and innovative.

"Whachu Gonna Do" has some great piano and brass. The contrast with the electric and, more subtle, acoustic guitar at the end is nice.

At first I thought maybe Brian's voice was not up to the sophistication of some of these songs; his sometimes-raspy hoarseness sounds so honest and possibly different each time he sings a song. But then I thought about my favorite Willie Nelson album, "Stardust", his biggest seller, where his voice and phrasing remain unaffected by years of polish. Brian has a naturalness to his sound, even in the manic "Animal Lust", where we hear his range. He owns these songs and he puts his vocal thumbprint on them.

"Miles of Life" is one of my favorites. It has a Pink Floyd feel to it. He draws you in with that whisper of a voice, an art invented by Peggy Lee. She too could belt it out to be heard, but knew to "sing softly, with feeling" so they would listen.

And listen you want to do. These songs are layered with an array of instruments and voices. I sometimes forget which tune I'm hearing, the way the songs build, crescendo, and so easily transition into another. The arrangements are that of a maestro, with an assemblage of world-class musicians. No doubt, this album was a group effort, but Jim Calire's fingerprints are all over it.

"I'm Disappearing" should be a radio hit, with its somber Tom Petty chord changes and a great guitar solo. And who can't relate to those lyrics? Brian is in his best voice on this.

The ethereal "Somewhere in Between" is a timeless piece. It puts me in a dream state. I love the way the poetic lyrics and haunting melody "sing together". The guitar solo at the end is perfect.

"Interlude" and "31st and Mars" give me a vision of James Dean, with a cigarette hanging from his lips, walking down the "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". The piano and horns are superb. It's as good as jazz gets.

I have heard it is the rhythm that most defines a song. That's certainly true of the uptempo "Oh Well, Nevermind". I found out at a party - it's a crowd pleaser. It's that Latin beat along with the optimistic message, "I don't know what the future holds but I know that it's going to be fine".

"Try" is a surprise - it shows the variety of influences Brian has. I can almost hear John Lennon singing it with the boyish innocence of his pre-Sgt. Pepper Days.

"State of Change" and "Stab in the Dark" express a pensive mood. In both of these songs, the guitar work is sublime. I love the intimate sound of fingers moving across the strings.

The "State of Change" lyrics that stay in my head are, "we've come full circle now" and "your state of change is the only change".

"Stab in the Dark" is sad with beautiful strings flowing through it. I can relate to "I don't know why I'm not happy". I also find myself singing, "another shot at failure, another stab in the dark".

I'm getting the feeling that Brian has "been there" and gone through some changes, but has come out of it with his integrity. Sure, he's a little moody, but sometimes you just have to wallow in it to get through it, right? There's a lot of optimism in this collection and sometimes the music itself seems to lift you up and carry you away.

Throughout, I'm impressed with the inspirational musicianship. Jim Calire's arrangements are a fine compliment to Brian's already great songs. "State of Change" is an album that has certainly changed me. It has made me realize that I love all kinds of music, and want to fill my senses with it. My musical tastes have ripened like fine wine.

So this is his first CD? There is hope in the world.