There's nothing copycat about The Sequel

OK, so here's the brilliant thing about Matthew Bair's naming his new project The Sequel.

Not only does it announce the Seaford native's reboot on his career after Bandcamp, but it also pretty much describes the band's approach. He takes the established styles and forms of his heroes and gives them his own twist.

From its opening keyboard riffs and massive-sounding production, "Young and the Free" is clearly an homage to Bruce Springsteen, which soon takes off in a new direction. "Wake Up" is more of a mix, with a Max Weinbergian backbeat and a fist-pumping chorus.

The Sequel - which includes former Bandcampers Kris Mazzarisi on drums and Steve Shebby on bass, as well as keyboardist Aaron Rothe and guitarist John Balicanta - handles it all effectively, ready to bring that kind of rock and roll passion to a new generation of kids who don't want to relate to 60-year-old Springsteen.

What may turn out to be the first single - "Hills and Manhattan," which already has a video - shows off Bair's unique lyrical craftiness delivered with Counting Crows-y phrasing over latter-day Goo Goo Dolls-ish acoustic prettiness. It's a reworking of the most effective bits of '90s pop-rock, not to mention a catchy love song that could land The Sequel on the radio right between Matt Nathanson and John Mayer.

Though The Sequel has wrapped up recording on its debut, it's still working on finding a deal. But that probably won't take too long after labels hear the EP's worth of material that arrived on the band's MySpace page (myspace.com/the sequel) last week.

Judging from this sampler, this Sequel, like "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" is more about building something new than covering the same old ground.

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