Seattle resident Paul Benoit is no stranger to the road. Throughout the '90s he toured rigourously with bands, including Crosseyed and the instrumental combo Hanuman.  Benoit released his first solo record in 2002 and now follows with Combustible, an album of glorious pop rock, complete with a wash of electric guitars and his husky, perfect-for-new-rock vocals singing about existential quandaries and getting through the tough times.

"Think I'll buy a bird today, kiss it as it flys away...we're here so short and gone so long, "Benoit sings in "Elevator Ring" as electric guitars wail like a freight train. The title track proffers a South African guitar riff and a descending piano line as Benoit asks "Did it make you sad to find that you were burnable?"  Lyrics are rich with imagery.  Rhymes are fresh, lead lines are mellow and the whole package is solidly grooving and easy on the ears.

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