His songwriting acumen has earned him a place alongside such celebrated contemporaries as Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Jack White. And he’s not one of those indie rockers to whom the thought of a hit record equals “sellout.” “Who wouldn’t want one—why lie about it?” he said. “I’m not interested in trying to manufacture a hit, but yes, it’s something I do want.”
-Randy Lewis (LAT-WP)