Ari Hest will soon join Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz and John Mayer
in the annals of college musicians. The boys of today’s mellow
indie rock world are basically the same relatively handsome,
moderately talented dude with a number one single and a few catchy
hooks. They each have a gimmick: Jack Johnson’s music has
nonchalant beach flair; while John Mayer can rock a guitar like
Stevie Ray Vaughn and write cheesy “songs to lose your virginity
to.” Beyond their poppy hits, these young musicians lack the kind
of staying power that, say, Eric Clapton has.

What sets 24-year-old Ari Hest apart from the slew of Josh
Kellys and Graham Coltons? Not much besides from his do-it-yourself
recordings and classically structured pop-rock songs. Granted, he’s
talented, Ari’s style is (almost) gimmick-free, guitar driven rock.
His major label debut on Columbia, “Someone to Tell,” is
elastically diverse, ranging from the lovelorn “Strangers Again” to
the bouncy, enthusiastic “They’re On to Me.” His earlier recordings
include “Incomplete,” a six song compilation; “Come Home,” released
in 2001 and full-length indie release “Story after Story” in 2002.
Several songs on “Someone to Tell” are rehashed from his previous
records, like the electric “Consistency,” a track that showcases
both his seasoned baritone and airy falsetto. “Aberdeen,” another
leftover from the last album, has the feeling of small town
frustration; much like that of John Mayer’s “Why Georgia.” Hest is
a native of the Bronx, so he pulls off the “I’m too big for this
small town” attitude quite well.

“A Fond Farewell” is a soaring ballad about bad breakups, “Say
goodbye to those sleepless nights/ Those corridors with no end in
sight/ I’m making peace with my soul tonight.” The bittersweet
anthem is an ideal example of Hest’s mellow style and warm
lyrics.

“Someone to Tell” is a feel-good album rife with soul-driven
acoustic rock songs that are perfect fare for the Mayer enthusiast.
His hook-filled tunes are dynamic and fresh addition to the genre
of seemingly analogous artists. There’s no talk of a single release
yet; give it time. Hest’s current anonymity is exactly where John,
Jack, Josh and Jason (whoa) were a few years ago.