Normally, I'd have to take a long, hard, slug of guanabana nectar before braving music described as ranging "from prog-rock mantras to free-jazz breakdowns and heartfelt ballads..." But Aloha isn't a normal band, so such urgent measures are thankfully unnecessary.

So what is this crazy Aloha thing? Sting with the pole taken out of his butt? The vocals are definitely Stingy in places, and some of the music has a similar "mature" jazz/rock vibe. But it's really a lot freer than Sting's stuff, and more fun. The songs flow along, smoothly warping between moods and tempos, always somewhat jazz-tinged, but also clearly pop-oriented.

Non-cheeseball keyboards, percussion and very nice vibes keep things melodically and harmonically interesting, without ever falling into New Age waddling. The drumming is consistently inventive and energized, and the bass and guitars do the bass and guitars thing with elegant understatement. It's all really brought together by Tony Cavallario's vocals, which are earnest without being embarrasing or schlocky, pretty without being precious.

These folks are good songwriters and fine musicians, and they're made a very likable, pretty, engaging CD.