Josh Clayton-Felt is someone who needs to be heard.

The former School of Fish leader died in 2000, at 32, of cancer.

His second solo album captures more of his darker days.

He plays solid guitar with precise efficiency and has a great band backing him up.

This is Southern rock ’n’ roll at its best.

Each song strolls along with a positive mood and lyrics that have true meaning.

The late Clayton-Felt wasn’t fake, and his music is a pleasure to listen to, even if the lyrics won’t put the listener in the best mood.

But he also knows how to get things kickin’, such as on “Diamond In Your Heart,” which features a familiar guitar line and an all-too-simple drumbeat holding things in place.

In “Backwards World,” Clayton-Felt strums an acoustic guitar and delivers a melody so sweet and sincere that he becomes the listener’s best friend, at least for the duration of the song.

He keeps things interesting by finding a happy medium between rocking the listener and relaxing him, building the listener up and slowly bringing him down.

The album follows a somewhat formulaic approach with one song being up-tempo and raw, and the next song mellow and drifting.

It continues that way throughout the entire record.

This album belongs in record collections, even if it only serves as the occasional background music.

Clayton-Felt was a gifted songwriter who died too young, and needs to be heard and respected.