POP MUSIC REVIEW : Ephemeral Lyrics, Hot Hooks

How can you not like a guy as determinedly upbeat as Michael Tomlinson? The Seattle singer-songwriter’s concert on Wednesday at the Universal Amphitheatre was a perfect illustration of a performer whose optimism far outshines his dark side.

Tomlinson’s early identification as a “new age” singer continued to have a certain validity in his lyrics. Lines like “Let us dream that every rain cloud isn’t there just to fall” abounded through most of his songs.

But their occasional tendency toward an almost ephemeral airiness was offset by Tomlinson’s very real talent with musical hooks. Almost every tune--”Safe at Home,” “No Bad Dreams” and “All Is Clear” were good examples--bristled rhythmic choruses rich with sizzling rhythms and memorable melodies.

Tomlinson’s voice, a warmly modulated combination of David Gates and James Taylor, seemed the perfect vehicle for his songs. And the seven-piece band provided the vigor that was clearly needed to add some juice to such lyric suggestions as “We need to rediscover passion so we can heal this world again.”

The second-billed Nylons continue to be one of the most adroit a cappella groups around. But their early iconoclasm, their most appealing quality, was replaced on this program with a straightforward, show-biz sensibility. One or two pieces--”I Love It When You Call My Name,” “Eli’s Coming”--resonated with energy and style.