We Weren't Crazy

American Idol fans may remember second season finalist Josh Gracin's moving farewell song in 2003 — he held his baby daughter in his arm and sang her a countrified version of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody." Since then, Gracin was "called to duty" (touring four years out as a singing recruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps) and recorded a debut album that went gold with three hit singles. The title track to Gracin's sophomore effort finds his soaring harmonies blending with some heartfelt sentiment similar to that of his last Idol performance. "We Weren't Crazy" is an inspired insta-hit that unfolds with an endearingly autobiographical account of Gracin's coming into manhood via family life. A blasting harmonica kicks off "Favorite State of Mind" before it strips down to what sounds like a 1980's pop hit as a stuttering guitar pogos under Gracin's fast-talkin' lyrics. This one sounds like John Mellencamp trying to rewrite R.E.M.'s "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" from 1987's Document. "I Keep Coming Back," is another heartstring puller that burns with the young and urgent romance of a Taylor Swift penned hit.