Personnel: Eef Barzelay (vocals, guitar, percussion); Jared Reynolds (piano, bass instrument, background vocals); Jay Cooper (organ); Joe Costa (drums, percussion).

Recording information: Nashville, TN.

Ever since Clem Snide's Israel-born frontman Eef Barzelay ventured into solo territory with his 2006 album BITTER HONEY, he's been a busy boy, turning out movie soundtracks and, with LOSE BIG, a confident step towards a continuing solo career. LOSE BIG is not a million miles away from the Clem Snide sound, as Barzelay's intimate, unassuming vocals waft over a mix of folk-rock and gently tumbling alt-pop, delivering lyrics whose sophistication belies the primal human emotions they ultimately betray. From the almost Neil Young-like guitar crunch on opener "Could Be Worse" to the acoustic strumfest and heavenly harmonies of "Song For Batya," Barzelay masterfully plays the role of the cerebral sad-sack, his self-awareness contrasting perfectly with his vulnerability--just the kind of dichotomy suggested by the album's title--and still manages to turn it all into a batch of catchy tunes.