Little Things (2004) Singer-songwriter Lightman's debut, which veers from hip-hop to folk rock and Top 40 pop -- and borrows bits from several stars (Alicia Keys, Pink) --… Toby Lightman
EW's GRADE
B

Details Release Date: Mar 30, 2004; Lead Performance: Toby Lightman

Singer-songwriter Lightman's debut, which veers from hip-hop to folk rock and Top 40 pop -- and borrows bits from several stars (Alicia Keys, Pink) -- suggests bigger things to come. The first single, ''Devils and Angels,'' is weighed down by banal lyrics (angels watching over, devils a-knocking), but the title track finds uplift via an overdubbed a cappella vocal intro, with Lightman's soulful pleas wrapping around hip-hop rhythms to moving effect.

Originally posted Apr 02, 2004 Published in issue #758 Apr 02, 2004 Order article reprints