Wakey! Wakey!
Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You

Wakey! Wakey! is a musical project started in 2007 by Mike Grubbs (who appeared as an actor in the seventh season of the TV show One Tree Hill, essentially playing himself), a classically trained pianist, singer and songwriter; the genre proposed by the group, which is in fact a one-man band, is a light, harmless, and very pleasant alternative pop-rock, far from being commercial (it publishes for an independent label in Manhattan) or in any way glossy or banal, based on piano, violin, and Grubbs' beautiful voice, who is also quite proficient in songwriting.

Although there are some somewhat insipid songs that leave no trace, there are also remarkable pieces, from the optimistic opener "Almost Everything" to the moving "Dance So Good," from the emotional "Brooklyn" to the sunny "Light Outside," up to the conclusive "Take It Like A Man," technically the best of the album, built on dissonances and piano and violin cross-rhythms that alternate sharply and perfectly with very melodic vocal parts.

Nothing that will leave a mark, nothing transcendental, but an honest and at times very inspired work, well written and well performed by the good Grubbs, who also performs very well live; like a nice glass of good fresh water: it doesn't leave a big mark, but quenches, satisfies, and does good.