After leaving his band, Soul Coughing, in 1993 many fans felt Mike Doughty had lost his touch. On “Sad Man Happy Man,” however, the artist is in fine form with straightforward lyrics and catchy lyrics.

In this album, his fifth solo effort, Doughty redeems himself. His raspy voice blends agreeably with the acoustic guitar to create an indie-soft rock sound.

His songs cover everything, from past relationships and heartbreaks to the American economy. He knows what his listeners are looking to connect to.

With songs such as “Pleasure on Credit,” Doughty keeps his songs topical and relatable. His lyrics are bubbly and clear, perfect for people who don’t like to play guessing games.

The album opens with “Nectarine (Part Two),” an entertaining song with an easy sing along chorus.   The song is a continuation of “Nectarine (Part One),” a cut from, his last album “Golden Delicious.”  

On “Lord Lord Help Me Just to Rock Rock On,” probably the wildest song on the album, Doughty perpetuates his free spirit image with creative slang and sly drug references.

With its upbeat tempo, this album is ideal to listen to on a sweet, simple day. Whether or not you are a fan of his music, one thing is for sure. Mike Doughty’s new album will get stuck in your head.