That These Things Could Be Ours

That These Things Could Be Ours is singer/songwriter Robert Skoro's sophomore release, and his first album on Yep Roc. The second fact is important as it shows the 23-year-old singer quickly moving up the food chain and quite capable of delivering a professional product. In many ways, the easygoing vocals and integrated arrangements of That These Things Could Be Ours make it a perfect candidate for Triple A radio. While listeners would never confuse Skoro's vocal on "Old Friend," with, say, Jack Johnson, his style nonetheless carries a similar vibe. The production meshes guitars, pianos, synthesizers, and percussion into an attractive mix that's easy on the ears; Skoro's vocals are likewise user-friendly, adding a bit of pop sheen to his lyrics. One might wish, segueing from "Old Friend" to "China" to "Hungry Ghost," for a bit more variation, and it probably wouldn't hurt Skoro (or Johnson for that matter) to add a bit of grit to these proceedings. It's nice, for instance, when Skoro and friends rock harder on "The Package," but, since it's the last track, it's almost an afterthought. Still, Skoro delivers his songs with confidence, giving That These Things Could Be Ours a warm, comfortable ambience. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi