With a well-balanced sense of Pop and a powerful voice that surfs the range between gruff and falsetto, Derek Ryan provides a fascinating presence at the front of the stage while the other four members of Channel Theory weave a melodically supple yet sturdy Indie Pop soundtrack. It’s no surprise that the MTV, E! and Oxygen networks have all found uses for songs from the band’s debut album, These Things, which in actuality is Ryan’s one-man-band recording which necessitated the formation of the band. That’s how good he is.

Dig it: Rob Dickinson reforms Catherine Wheel with an ear to kick Maroon 5’s candy-coated ass.

-City Beat Cincinnati