Wayne Kirkpatrick
The Maple Room (Rocketown)
Chances are pop aficionados know Wayne Kirkpatrick’s work, even if they likely have no idea who he is: His writing credits include contributions to Garth Brooks’ “In The Life of Chris Gaines,” hits for Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, and Eric Clapton’s Grammy-winning song “Change the World.” On his solo debut, Kirkpatrick establishes himself as a solid vocalist and artist in his own right, one whose pop sensibilities and hooks are consistently on target, without sounding mushy or calculated. On “Love Feeds Love,” Kirkpatrick invites comparisons to Paul McCartney, crafting a bittersweet gem. And on “Wrapped Up in You,” Kirkpatrick takes a romantic cliche and upends it: “How do I love you?/ Well, let me see/ I love you like a crooner loves a melody.” At times, “The Maple Room” idles too long in mid-tempo grooves, but it’s worth the wait: This is a disc that reveals its depth and warmth with repeated listens.