Wayne Petti

Cuff The Duke frontman Wayne Petti has broken out of the Oshawa alt.country outfit as an acoustic singer-songwriter with this surprisingly low-key debut. As a troubadour, his vocal delivery is slight, airy and suited to this collection of innocuous tunes, which are mostly mournful or boyishly romantic in tone. Petti demonstrates a sense for musical drama during a few bouncy, foot-tappin' moments, but overall this album's impact is faintly felt. There's too much subtlety. "The Only Only One" and "I Wait" build slowly toward the odd flourish, but while we're waiting, we get the same guitar riff over and over, with limp vocals. Although this brand of balladeering is meant to be mellow, Petti should have mustered more emotion.