Artist:   Ed Vallance
Song:   "Deep End"
Album: The Modern Life
Label:   Rebel Group
Year:    2008

Ed Vallance is clearly disenchanted with society. At least he must have been when he wrote the lyrics to "Deep End," the first single off of his new album The Modern Life. The tune was originally released on Vallance's first EP of the same name and quickly found a following with British fans and a place on the UK charts. The fact that he now splits time between the gray of London (his native land) and the sunshine of Los Angeles suits his Brit pop meets California psychedelia styling perfectly. It's no wonder that '60s Brit troubadour Donovan calls himself a fan. Vallance's songwriting is simple by design, but when he delivers those words in his emotionally-rich falsetto, their true depth reveal themselves.  "What are you laughing for? You got drafted in the Third World War, And if you want to know anything, it's easy: You just flip to Channel Four." The weight of his message about individual powerlessness, though wrapped in a delicate reverb, hits hard.  "We'll let you know, If you're swimming in the deep end." Don't let the pretty melody fool you, this song is dripping with irony.