You might know this guy. His hair smells like the beach and he has a job at the local video store. He plays at local bars and his tunes bring a good mood to everybody. He hunches over his acoustic and strums good- natured melodies about the simple good things. He's got a good vibe.

I don't know Kevin Seconds, but I have to imagine him that way. Stoudamire is unabashed four- track simplicity with a smile and a handshake included; '90s garage- Beach Boys sincerity. Clean, hopeful, nice. How can you beat liner notes like "artwork by me" and "oh yeah, I also played snare and hi-hat"? Kevin's got heart and it shines all over this mess of short, simple, quick and energetically emphatic surf-pop songs that don't pose and posture. Like the guy or hate the guy, I've got a feeling he's probably gonna be happy either way. (I think you'll like him.)

-James P. Wisdom