$13.98 (list price), California Rock, Sub Pop

Basic Story: San Francisco's (by way of Detroit) Kelly Stoltz follows up his most consistent, yet still flawed record, Below the Branches, with album number 5.

Sample: "I stayed out late, had too many cigarettes/ but the evening was a gas, I've no regrets/ I had too much to drink, I'm a mess/ it's Monday morning, I'm late for work and I'm not at my best."

Verdict: Kelly Stoltz has never written fully solid albums. Instead, they're typically scattered affairs, with potential hit songs here and mere throwaways there. Circular Sounds breaks that mold, but sadly, in the wrong direction. It seems as though this time around, there are less essential tracks and more "middle of the road" ones. However, standouts like "Morning Sun" and "Put My Troubles To Sleep" just go to show how much potential Stoltz has to write a catchy melody. Still, it might be wise to hold out for his 'Best Of.'