When I first met Kyle Hollingsworth, he was the “new guy” in String Cheese Incident. The band was just starting to play big festivals outside their Colorado homebase and was becoming a major player in both the newgrass and jamband scenes.

Previously, the band had been primarily a bluegrass-based jamband, and Hollingsworth brought to the table a diversity that, in the coming years, would take the band's music to avenues that would not have been possible without his contribution.

As the band moved into the twilight of their touring life, Kyle ventured out on his own and released his first solo album, “Never Odd Or Even.” The album that showcased his diverse nature and explored musics that String Cheese Incident. couldn't have pulled off as a band.

Now, Hollingsworth has released his second solo effort, “Then There's Now,” another wonderful example of his wild diversity and stellar musicianship. This album has everything: infectious funk, memorable ballads, powerful rock anthems, catchy pop tunes, mesmerizing electro-dance songs, even instrumentals with melodies so strong you can't get them out of your head. In short, this is one damn fine album!!

Hollingsworth's band includes Ryan Jalbert on guitar, Garret Sayers on bass and Dave Watts on drums. He also gets a couple ignificant friends to help him out. Liza Oxnard contributes background vocals, DJ Logic makes an appearance with his turntables, Damien Hines and Alex Botwin contribute drum programming, and Dar Williams makes a guest vocal appearance on “Don't Wake Me,” a standout ballad.

This album flows so freely from one style to another that it almost doesn't seem as diverse as it is, and thus gets my vote as one of the best albums of the year so far.

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