How on earth have I missed this in the past? I know I listened to an earlier album, but either I was a moron or it wasn't good. Judging by his latest, Drama City, I was probably a moron. In fact, I saw him live in Cambridge a couple years ago, even that really didn't do anything for me. Again, I was probably a moron. Jabe's new CD is fun, emotive, earnest and complex.

It took me just one listen through to choose two particular songs for me to obsess over. For a guy that has been part of our New Hampshire music scene, he has flown under Jam's radar. He has become a well-revered and respected musician in our scene and Boston's. For those like me who have missed out, Drama City is a blend of Americana and grunge. That's about the best I can Describe Jabe's unigue rootsy style. Have Kurt Cobain sing for Bruce Springsteen's compositions, something like that.

The ballad "Can't Be That Bad" is unbelievable. Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum would wish he could sound so earnest on their power ballad "Runaway Train.” Jabe conveys a sense of hope and compassion for those who feel their lives/jobs are the worst and life sucks. While his vocals and guitars are certainly wonderful, his band puts it all together. Jay Aucella on bass, Dave Westner on percussion and Sean Staples on mandolin really push this time. Major kudos on the mandolin, which I am a sucker for, but it's existence in this song alone in mind-blowing.

"Kelly McGuire" is at the other end of the spectrum. It's a fun, upbeat tune about a woman who the narrator once had a relationship with, and would again. "Kelly McGuire" came from New Mexico/Moved up here about 7 years ago/She's writing her dissertation on poetry/She's gonnan be a doctor/What the hell is she doin' blowin' me?" In this one, guest Eric Royer supplies a great rockin' banjo. The best powered up banjo I've heard since Sixteen Horsepower.

Everything else in between is pretty damn good too. Trapsing around a rootsy world of differing tempos, stringed and other instruments (fiddle, slide, organ, harmonica, accordion, dobro, and cello), fun or serious lyrics, and tight musicianship, Drama City is a place I want to be. One additional thing: there's a second CD in this package. The extra disc is a CD-ROM containing a few MP3s, including live versions of older tunes, and videos.