CRITIC'S CHOICE
POP
"Forgive me Mom and Dad/If the music makes you sad/Nothing can prepare us for the day/When little boys grow old/And don't do as they're told." So sings 17-year-old Teddy Geiger on "Thinking Underage," a precociously wise coming-of-age song from his debut disc. But Geiger's folks need not worry: Their son displays a talent far beyond his years on a first-rate pop CD that should win over fans of both Jesse McCartney and John Mayer. Not only did the self-taught Rochester, N.Y., native play guitar, piano, bass and percussion, he had a hand in writing all but one tune. Songs like the heartfelt "For You I Will (Confidence)" demonstrate an assured knack for big, sweeping melodies, while the dreamy ballad "Seven Days Without You" showcases Geiger's slightly raspy vocals that are just the right heartthrob combination of sexy and sweet. Thankfully, Geiger still possesses some of the innocence of youth: When he sings about waiting for his tears to "Air Dry," you want to give him a hankie.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "Thinking Underage"
