A fresh and friendly pop-rock album, Will Bowen's sophomore effort is easy to dismiss as fodder for the high school masses. But, somehow, Bowen's magnetic voice and penchant for great melodies bypasses teen sensibilities with a more mature attitude toward life and love, a la John Mayer.

Although only 18 years old, his dynamic vocal range captures the appeal of Rob Thomas without the whine, and the scruffiness of Pete Yorn without the wear and tear, supported by powerful, hair-band ballad guitar phrasing.

The album has several weak moments - the slowness of "Standby" is one, the trite lyrics on "Something About You" is another. But standouts like opener "It's About Time", and the stripped down "Sweet Colleen", make all the "angel" mentions more bearable.

With approachable, grounded love songs, Will Bowen may just fill that void for early 20-something single princesses waiting for their knights on white horses.

A. Koledin