The Melcliff shimmers, vibrates and swirls as if it was recorded in the halcyon folk-rock days of Los Angeles in the 1960s, not Portland in 2006. Sasser combines a soft croon with minor chords, chiming acoustic guitars and a warm reverb. Think an Everly Brothers record without the harmonies or a Mamas and Papas record, with just one Papa. Sasser`s engaging songwriting makes The Melcliff one of the terrific surprises of the year. -- Jeff Weiss. Miles of Music (self-released)