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1997 - Solo Debut

Alt, schmalt. Sometimes you have to look to the classic-rock mindset for music that favors keen self-expression over trendy posturing. That's the case with Todd Thibaud, whose singer/songwriterly guitar rock on Favorite Waste of Time is sure to hit that special warm spot for fans of the straight-up sounds of the Wallflowers and early Tom Petty. An Elvis Costello-like vocalist, Thibaud impresses throughout this stripped-down, lyrically untamed effort, whether on the chunky riff rocker "That Wasn't Me," the Dylan-folky "Johanna's Dreams," or the smoldering hidden-track take of Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road." Sure, it's nothing new, but sometimes new is overrated. An excellent debut. --Neal Weiss