Songs as fresh as they are nostalgic, as addictive as they are simple. Taps into a melancholic timelessness Lovely melodies and sincere storytelling. A true auteur.

A gift package of clever quotes and parodies from everybody and everything from early Rockabilly to punk, coupled with expert and original instrumentation and a friendly voice. It's funny, sad, joyous and absurd all at once. It's catchy and it's the soundtrack to a movie you see all around you, every day.

When you hear this CD, you will never look at your professors the same again. For the uninitiated, Barry Mauer teaches in the English Department, the Film and Digital Media Department, and the Texts and Technology PhD program at UCF. Just as you thought your professors are nothing more than boring old fogies who sit around and don't have a single ounce of coolness in them, along comes Dr. Mauer with his second CD, Paris Museum. Scary thought, isn't it? The best part is, the CD is great! Mauer's country beginnings in Gainesville can still be heard in his collection of eclectic styles and sounds in his latest album. The music goes beyond the usual combination of instruments with unique use of violins and keyboard on the albums. Watch out for his next album Alaska. You can buy his CD online at his Web site or in the Student Union. Listen to his single "Learn About Her" there as well.

BARRY MAUER Paris Museum Orlando's Barry Mauer is a full-time college professor and part-time singer-songwriter who's got a way with brief, sweetly countrified pop tunes. Paris Museum is his second collection of songs and it has heart and craft. Everything here is carefully realized; strummy acoustics, Mauer's breathy delivery and a bevy of contributors on various instruments create a breezy-but-substantial vibe. The cheesy "No Love Won" is redeemed by an extremely tasteful guitar solo. Elsewhere, the title track, the Eagles-on-helium "Tough Girl" and sunny '60s "Provisional Love" provide standouts. Some might find his lyrics and wholly guileless sound overwhelmingly sweet, but there's no denying Mauer's talent at putting great little ditties together.

Barry Mauer's solo disc is a melodic charmer with indy rock appeal. Six of the 14 songs clock in under 2 minutes and fly by like classic rock format. As a vocalist, Mauer has a high wispy voice that coaxes the melody rather than overwhelms it. On the title track, the guitars chime like mid-period Byrds, "Why did the painters paint like that? The light comes through the clouds like that, and the dress falls from the breast to please some king like you please me." "No Love Won" starts like a classic Neil Diamond track and then breezes by, "Other boys treat you so unkind, but you don't pay them any mind." "Sunlight Through an Open Window" is an acoustic guitar instrumental that flows like a gentle beam of light. "Provisional Love" is a clunky little tune about love given for the moment with harmonies that'd make Harpers Bizarre smile. "Claire's Song" is another acoustic instrumental dedicated to Mauer's girlfriend. "Don't Touch Me" rocks with a tongue-in-cheek lyric about a guy who gets too aroused when his girlfriend shows affection. The set concludes with homage to the band in "Velvet Underground." Mauer's solo set may not be earth-shattering in sound; but it is a very sweet set for anyone who looks back fondly on 60s rock. Enjoy!