So I was sitting down comfortably with a nice coffee, putting the finishing touches on my mix tape for 2004. Sticking with the strict rules of only ten songs, this year was going to be a tough race. Then of course I get a package from the other side of the world (Michigan to be exact) and I start to wonder if we have a late bolter on the cards.

The package contained an album called 'Painting A Burning Building' from relative unknown pop muso Brandon Wiard. I put it on, thinking, "I play something impartial, and then my final decision won't be swayed unnecessarily". How wrong I was.

'Already In Amazement' opens the record with a kaleidoscope of keyboards and moogs that will get you rising to your feet towards the dance floor with your partner for the evening. Wiard's Pop intentions are made quite clear from the outset, with his obvious fondness for the works of Declan MacManus (especially in his vocal delivery). And let's face it, if you're going to look up to anyone, it might as well be the best.

The following song (and strong contender for the all important mix tape 2004), 'Miss Michigan' is a heart wrenching tune with glorious backing vocals that sounds like he roped in members of Chicago and The Beach Boys. It's actually Wiard himselfdamn he's good.

Such claims are backed up on 'Since You've Gone Away', making the pair of songs a nice one-two combination in Wiard's repertoire of song writing. 'Since You've' has an interesting turn of early 90s grunge at the end of it, but such twists are minor compared to what lies ahead.

More strong ditties abound including 'I'll Write These Songs' which points out the difficulties when it comes to the generation gap: "Give her a look like, Rome is my empire, but it won't mean a thing. Because she's like who's Julius Caesar?, she's all of seventeen." 'Permanent Smile' has a nice alt-country feel to it, accentuated by some tasteful violin and a solid bluesy piano piece from Ben Wilson of Blues Traveller fame.

Then you get to the last three songs and Wiard goes all 'From Dusk Till Dawn' on us. The remainder of the album abandons the notion of tight pop and heads bravely into Rodgers & Hammerstein meets Van Dyke Parkes territory. Of the trio, 'Old Heartless Sun' is the most abstract, broken up into four deliberate sections like a mini operatic performance. In between these songs sees a few reprises of earlier tracks like 'KMS' and 'Since You've Gone Away' albeit in a more choir like setting.

There is no doubt about it, Wiard is an ambitious tacker and such carry on would usually end in tears if not done handled properly. Brandon could've just rested on his laurels with his radio friendly material, but has gone the extra mile. Sure, Wiard's off-kilt style may not be everyone's cup of English Breakfast, but fans of the Ben Fold's school of music will no doubt find solace in 'Painting A Burning Building'. It's a nice shot across the bow to any aspiring indie-pop musician out there: "Play it safe from now on and Brandon Wiard could very well eat you alive."

Want to find out more about Brandon Wiard and perhaps pick up his album? Check out: www.brandonwiard.com