Austin albums just plain mediocre

Edwin McCain has set out to recreate the feel-good nature of a string of "Wonder Years" reruns -- except void of any wit, creativity or feeling. He's collected the husks of American themes, sucked free of any life, dumbed down and served from a stage. \nLuckily for listeners who need their music cradled in pink plastic saran wrap, McCain isn't confusing with changes in tempo or structure, nor is he shocking with more than three lines that are not some variation of a cliche. He even provides just enough mildly interesting saxophone (via Craig Shields) to make listeners feel like they're listening to something a little more cultural than normal, adult contemporary. \nMcCain is also fond of songs he sees as narratives, the tunes that convey some sort of basic life story about an easily recognizable stereotype -- here involving old people, winos and interracial partners. He tries to bring issues to light but gets lost in singing pretty and trite concepts that have been said better before. The worst thing is that even the songs McCain didn't write are like this too, proving that he is not just a mediocre musician, but he has awful taste.