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Ah, but herein lies the difference (if not the rub). Cardboard Logic’s easy-listening sound, Northrup’s pleasant singing, and the breezy way his music is executed contrast sharply with the very dark, depressing lyrics contained within. In his voice, his appearance, and his musical stylings, Northrup may come off as a laid-back, down-to-earth “man’s man,” but his lyrics expose an intense and painful emotional vulnerability lurking beneath the otherwise easy-going surface.

Several of the CD’s songs lament men’s inability to form genuine, compassionate relationships. Other tracks decry men’s unwillingness to be open about their sexuality. To this listener it appears that Northrup has endured impossible and unrequited love with straight and/or closeted men in his life. Additionally, he seems to have suffered from relationships that were only sexual in nature, with no underlying romance or understanding.

Northrup pointedly and skillfully crafts all this pain into his art. Check out the tracks “All to You,” “Harsh, but True,” and my personal favorite, the rockin’ ”The Truth Breaks Through.” For many gay men who’ve gone through similar sorrows, these songs will strike a familiar, bittersweet chord.

In fact, loneliness, somber thoughts, emotional insecurity, conflicted feelings, world pessimism, and an unsure sense about things in life haunt nearly every song on Cardboard Logic. The album contains repeated references to “hiding” (as in hiding the truth), and to “pills” (as in taking them to block the anguish). Northrup’s sensitivities are those of a classic, Kierkegaardian existentialist with a social anxiety disorder. As expressed in his lyrics, the two personality types become blurred.

If others share my first reaction upon hearing Cardboard Logic, guys (and even gals) from all over are going to want to dash up to Canada and give this heavy-hearted guy a big bear hug.

My complaints with this CD are few and minor. There are so many people thanked in the booklet liner notes that the gesture loses its meaning. The space might have been put to better use accommodating larger-sized printed lyrics, because the text font is so small one has to use a magnifying glass (if not a microscope) to read them. I’m also not sure the name “Cardboard Logic” aptly describes the overall gist of the songs contained within, but listeners can make their own decision on this.

Andy Northrup will be touring throughout the U.S. starting early this summer, 2005. Get more info on Andy at anorthrup.com.

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