Personnel: Angie Aparo (vocals, acoustic guitar, groove box); Matt Serletic (conductor, piano, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Chris McDonald (conductor); Dan Warner, Kyle Cook (guitar); Pam Sixfin, Lee Larrison (violin); Kris Wilkinson (viola); Bob Mason (cello); Adam Nitti, Pete Iannocone (bass); Derek Murphy, Tony Adams (drums, percussion); Nashville String Machine, Atlanta Brass Society.

Engineers: Noel Golden, Jeff Tomei, Keith Rose.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Angie Arparo's major label debut album The American introduces his earnest, slightly rootsy brand of modern rock. "Green Into Gold," "Hush," "Cry," "Wonderland," and the single "Spaceship" recall the big, heartfelt sounds of REM, Soul Asylum, the Goo Goo Dolls, and especially Live, but Arparo's impressive vocal range and adept songwriting elevates the songs above mere imitation. An appealing album, The American's polished yet emotive sound places it head and shoulders above most of the other modern rock of the '00s. ~ Heather Phares