By Michelle Isham, for the CDT

Adam Arcuragi's self-titled debut full length CD is best described by the word mellow. The 26-year-old from the Philadelphia area is an introspective singer/songwriter in the tradition of English folk artist Nick Drake.

Arcuragi pours quiet passion into songs about the growing up in the suburban middle class. While tales suburbia and the angst that breeds within the walls of split level ranch homes is a well beaten horse in the world of contemporary music, Arcuragi brings a light touch to the subject that keeps listeners from rolling their eyes over yet another tale woe from the cul de sac. The opening track "All The Bells" reverberates with delicately chiming bells that mask lyrics full of images of death and pain. It's melancholy in its most Keats-like sense--a still sadness that is flavored with sweetness.

It took Arcuragi three years to complete his album. The songs "Delicate," "All The Bells" and "The Dog is Dead, Amen" were recorded in 2003. According to press release accompanying his CD, after a failed attempt at securing recording space in a historic church in 2004, the singer committed himself to finishing the album in 2005. With assistance from members of Audible, Mazarin, Bitter Bitter Weeks, National Eye, Matt Pond PA, the Trouble With Sweeney, the Rachel's and Ink & Dagger, Arcuragi recorded seven songs in one session to complete the album.

It's not surprising that Arcuragi was interested in recording in a church, his songs are peppered with references to God and heaven. A poet at heart, his lyrics read like poetry, touching on the themes of death and rebirth through intricate word pictures. Even "Delicate"--a song about the time that he and two high school friends swam across the Delaware River to spend the night drinking beer and shivering on an island--contains a reference to the Holy Ghost. Even though his music explores big issues--like spirituality, family, love and death--the affect is not cumbersome or suffocating. Arcuragi manages to be both deeply soulful and light as a feather at the same time.

What: Adam Acuragi, Philadelphia-based indie folkster

When: July 19

Where: Roustabout! At the Darkhorse Tavern, State College