Pop/Rock - Georgia-raised L.A. songwriter and producer Butch Walker has carved a rather lucrative if somewhat behind-the-scenes career helping to guide the musical travels of some of the biggest names in female pop: Avril Lavigne, Pink, Lindsay Lohan and, most recently, Katy Perry. "Sycamore Meadows", his fourth solo album, is a sterling retro throwback to the birth and arguable heyday and of modern pop/rock songwriting, channeling Paul McCartney and Tom Petty and gleefully unafraid to toss in oversized melodic hooks and kitchen sink sonics.

Recovering from the loss of his home, studio (named Sycamore Meadows) and all of his master recordings to the California wildfires in 2007, Walker seems both resigned and stubbornly optimistic, liberated and more open lyrically. The thoughtful confessions that permeate the new project's rich balladry come to a head in "Ships In A Bottle", a high-flying anthem that resonates with both despair and silver lining. 'Just want to walk away from the ashes and take the fact that I got burned," Walker sings "and baby let you know I"m still standing."

"His music craftily juggles eras," writes Jon Pareles in The New York Times. "He's especially fond of the 1970s, from power pop to soft-rock to fuzz-toned glam. In songs about love, songwriting and Hollywood decadence, he leaves listeners to decide whether he's posing or revealing himself."

Cutting a wide swath through multiple genres is nothing new to Walker. Banging around in various bands in the 80's and 90's, most notably with critical darlings and regional faves Marvelous 3, he soaked up a wealth of influences and stylistic references. From alt-rock to glam to edgy pop choruses, Walker has distilled his songcraft to reflect his world, from romantic breakups (his specialty) to pointed observation on Hollywood's sordid excess

For his latest, Walker keeps the message, and the music, straight and true. "Sycamore Meadows"'s varied stylistic elements and revealing tales may arise from dark shadows of pain and regret but, as one critic observes, emerge with a message that is "ultimately pretty uplifting."

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