Valentin Narvaez broke all the rules when he recorded his solo record.

By writing and performing every instrument on this album, he did something that other artists attempting the same feat have failed to do - he made a fine sounding recording.

“The Stars are Bombs Luring Overhead” segues to a combination of what would happen if rock band The Cars got funky, but progresses into an easy-going tune with a solid beat.

“Red Skies” is held together by a familiar indie-rock drum pattern, and Narvaez’s vocals are soothing and melancholy at the same time. He also does a nice job with harmonizing on this one.

Narvaez recruits his girlfriend’s vocals on the soft love-themed ballad “I’ll Always Hold You.”

“I’ll be Your Everything” sounds a lot like recent Guided By Voices, while the guitar effects and repeated chorus are a dead on match for something Ric Ocasek of The Cars would do. “Send me Tongues of Fire” is a short tune that ends before it really has a chance to do itself justice.

“Warm Yellow Sun” is a powerful and dreary song and a perfect way to end the album. It reaches even farther both in content and emotion.

The abundance of guitars and the professional approach of overlapping his vocals are quite impressive, but the use of a drum machine hinders its steam a bit.

The songs are long enough to grant a sense of completion and short enough to keep it interesting. Narvaez even throws in a couple random effects-driven pieces that add a hint of personality.

No song stands alone, but one listen will surely lead to another.