Paigow
Pop, 2000

Don’t expect loud, bombastic Rent II from Anthony Rapp’s debut solo effort Look Around. He may be the Mark Cohen in Rent, but musically, the real Anthony Rapp is a mix of REM and matchbox twenty.

The first track, Living Alive soon sets the atmosphere – this ain’t no post-Rent party, this is a rock party. Less heavy that fellow Rent alumni Adam Pascal’s debut, Mr Rapp nonetheless gives a convincing turn as a rock star in tunes like Human Tornado and the title track.

But if I am disappointed that he is hiding his voice between vocal loops and layers, there’re ballads to make up for it. Just Some Guy is a playful (if too sweet) tribute to a boyfriend. My favorite ballad and track in this album is the melancholic mid tempo Always. The chorus is perfect for drunken singalongs when you are depressed and lonely.

I don’t know what to expect when I bought Look Around, but I must say it’s a pleasant surprise. Look Around has some rough edges that can be polished here and there, but it’s a pretty enjoyable album nonetheless. Although I suspect those looking for Mark Cohen’s music, and not Anthony Rapp’s, will be very disappointed with this one.