Chris Pierce
Static Trampoline
Prana

Two versions of the ballad "Are You Beautiful" can be found on Static Trampoline, the debut CD from singer-songwriter Chris Pierce. The song, which is distinguished by Pierce's supple Bill Withers-like vocals, first drew attention on the soundtrack to the movie "Crash." It was also used by Banana Republic in an ad campaign for the TV series "Project Runway." Pierce's soulful voice and unhurried delivery infuse the tune with a timeless quality. An acoustic version of the song is included as a bonus track.

The ballad is the most memorable song on Static Trampoline, but the rest of the album is eager to demonstrate Pierce's many musical sides. He has writing credits on all the songs. "Bye Bye Butterfly" has the sunny bounce of an early Paul Simon number. There's the reggae-inspired "Witchy Yeah Yeah," and "The Slow Life" is a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy life. The album covers a wide range of material, but Pierce's strong voice and effortless delivery ties everything together. -- D. Kimura