TVSquad

It's really too bad that Love Monkey was canceled so quickly (though VH-1 is going to show the reruns and also unaired CBS eps later this month). It could have really acted as a springboard for Teddy Geiger, the 17 year old music wonder who co-starred as Kenny, the musician discovered by Tom Cavanagh's character. But it might not matter, because judging from this debut album, this kid's on his way to a major career.
OK, so who does he sound like? A young John Mayer. And that statement is going to turn off as many listeners as it intrigues (for some reason - I've never understood the Mayer backlash). He sounds a little like Mayer, and even looks a little like him. But he's got his own thing going too. Sure, the pure pop songs are here, like "For You I Will (Confidence)", the first single, but he also manages to play around with some other funkier, piano-driven tunes ("Night Air,") Geiger was probably 16 when he recorded this album, but this isn't boy-band material. He's not singing in front of four other guys dancing. He's a mature, true, honest-to-goodness singer/songwriter and musician. And he plays bass! He plays guitar too of course (as fans of Love Monkey will remember), but bass is listed first on the album, then other instruments. There's even pics of him playing bass on the back.

While there's a maturity here in the songwriting and playing, you can still see he's a teenager in the lyrics. "Thinking Underage:"

I've got a pocket full of change
I'm tired of thinking underage
Just cut this string and let me fly
Say goodbye, say goodbye

Forgive me mom and dad
If the music makes you sad
Nothing can prepare us for the day
When little boys grow old
And don't do as they're told
Well I will find my way
I'm just tired of thinking underage

I'm first in line at the DMV
I sweet talk you just give me the keys
I don't have a curfew in my mind
Little Katie and me like rolling stone
She keeps me still by letting go
It's not like we're running out of time

A great song.

"Look Where We Are Now" is probably my favorite song on the album (then again, ask me a week from now and I'll have another). It starts out as a ballad, but quickly goes into this incredbily infectious chorus, powered by cool drums and Geiger's vocals. At 16, he knows how to sing already. It's bluesy and sincere, but also pop-ish and bright. He seems old and wise and young all at the same time.

I can't say enough good things about this debut. Go get it and put the headphones on and crank up "These Walls" or "Air Dry" or "Look Where We Are Now." I can already predict that listeners (and commentors) are going to dismiss this as "oh, it's that kid from Love Monkey! Please." These people have no taste in music and shouldn't be allowed to own a CD player or iPod. "Underage Thinking" is the first perfect record of 2006.