Plaehn is also tough to peg as a vocalist. There are moments when Todd Rundgren's 70s soul comes immediately to mind, such as with this album's title cut, which is quite keyboard-y and singer/songwriter-y. However, the more gospel-oriented "Pray, Jesus" finds Plaehn sounding a bit like James Taylor, in all his 70s singer/songwriter glory.

Lyrically, Plaehn rarely gets too heavy. Although he sings with great, tangible sincerity, the harmonica-spiced, and just slightly country "The Woman I Left Behind" is pretty much your typical, 'the one that got away' song. Plaehn is at his most serious during "Hold My Tears," a song that has a kind of African chant thing running through it and � although it also goes into a kind of progressive rock section � is pretty much a straight forward, raw emotional song about romantic separation.

With "Harp Stomp II," Plaehn does away completely with lyrics, for a harmonica-led instrumental. And it does just what its title suggests � stomps.

The overriding impression is that Dave Plaehn is a gentle soul, and Amos God Soul has the ability to leave the listener with a peaceful sense of well being. And there's nothing wrong with that.