Mixing classic rock energy with California country, hints of Southern blues, and a dash of "pop smarts," Arthur Dodge and band forge a most satisfying roots rock sound. At times they hit grooves as cool as The Band ("Creature Of the Night") and make shimmering country rock reminiscent of The Byrds ("Hustlin' California"). But mostly, they forge a slow-burning rock sound that is reserved, yet feels it's about to bust loose at any time. There are sublime moments of sonic cacophony, as in the thick and brooding "Carry Me", which ebbs and flows like uncertain surf from a passing storm. The aptly titled fourth release from this Lawrence, Kansas band, Room #4 also has moments of sad beauty, like the heart-wrenching "Hung On", which recalls some of Dennis Wilson's most moving work. CMJ aptly describes Dodge as a musician who "can rock with a sincerity akin to Neil Young and early Springsteen, pluck through a Wilco-style ballad of hopeless love, and slip in lyrics with a Johnny Cash sense of homespun, humorous despondency." Room #4 is an exceptionally written and performed collection of material, all original except for the sole cover of Gene Clark's "Why Not Your Baby". (Remedy Records)