After listening to “Party of One,” Jeremy Porter’s debut solo CD, it’s easy to see what makes Americana music a deeper listen than pure Pop. Both genres share the synthesis of multiple source genres, but while Pop is sweet like cotton candy and can be as satisfying as a rice cake, good Americana challenges you to become an active listener, to get personally involved. And that’s what the best parts of this accomplished songwriter and guitarist’s new record do. They draw you into their reality and let you live there for a little while. And it's not always an easy place to live. The songs on the CD, which was released in January 2010 through Magwheel records, swing on a pendulum between introspective acoustic numbers and punk-inspired rockers, with Porter’s fine guitar work threading the songs together into a musical whole. With the perfect voice to match the deeply-layered content of his songs, Porter sounds a little like a young Ray Davies, especially on the Kinks-tinged “Not Like You’re Mine,” which even has a great Dave Davies-sounding guitar part. The opening song, “Sidewalk Ends,” along with “Last Time I Saw You Happy,” and “Dead on Your Feet” comprise the acoustic or mostly-acoustic songs, which find Porter sounding like he’s restraining himself from jumping out of his chair and smashing his guitar. The guy is intense, even on acoustic guitar. “Hallmark Holiday” starts off acoustic and then turns electric with a blazing guitar solo and lots of great dynamics. These songs convey an intimacy that compels you to be engaged with the songwriter. Only “Dead on Your Feet” seems a little out of place here. For the electric songs, Porter really seems relaxed and ready to cut loose. While the play-on-words title “Out Inside” may sound a little contrived, in the lyric it isn’t. He makes it sound natural, and it works in the song. While an interesting idea, “The Turnaround” doesn’t ever seem to really get off the ground. But “When September Passed Us By” makes up for it in spades. This is probably the most fully realized song both musically and lyrically on the record. The singing, writing, and playing all come together here to make a solid lynchpin for the CD. And finally a personal favorite, “Hundred Bucks” presents an open, free and fun Country, Hip Hop, Neil Youngian  rocker with drum loops and a wah-wah guitar. Now there’s enough blending of genres to satisfy any roots fans.