The incredible success of Norah Jones might indicate a shifting trend in music. Last year's charts were dominated by hip-hop, rap and pop rock, but the jazzy singer/songwriter became one of the best selling artists of 2003. Her success proves that embracing traditional songwriting remains a viable commercial strategy for record labels.

Sony Music hopes to capitalize on those talents as well. The entertainment giant signed Casey Stratton, who recently released his debut album "Standing At The Edge."

Stratton, 26, writes original music in the tradition of artists like Peter Gabriel, Elton John, Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan. His mesmerizing, driving piano tunes and imaginative production arrangements are both glossy and meaningful.

Stratton's music can be classified as alternative adult-contemporary with its emphasis on hooky melodies, classical instrumentation and poetic lyrical content.

The young artist collaborated with soundboard veteran and composer Patrick Leonard, who co-produced the entire project. Leonard is mostly known for his work with Madonna in the late '80s on albums such as "True Blue" and "Like A Prayer."

Born and raised in Michigan, Stratton moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time career in music. The musical prodigy pitched his work to different labels and was eventually picked up by Sony's Odyssey label. He offered them 45 songs, and 12 were selected for the final album cut.

Stratton wrote most of the songs over a period of four years. All of the compositions touch upon "life's pivotal moments," inspiring the title of the record, he says.

Stratton says the record is about coming to grips with life's baggage and letting go to move on to better times.

"I took inspiration from all different aspects of my life," Stratton says. "Sometimes I write about my friends or about my own life and relationships.

"It was very healing for myself, but hopefully some people can see it universally and apply it to their own life," he adds.
Stratton asserts that he might be an "old soul" with lyrics that cover big emotions.

"I have always been very sensitive and taken things very seriously," he says. "I guess that's why some people think I'm older than I really am."

The singer prefers not to discuss his sexual orientation.
"I think people are reading too much into the music," he says. "I have all sorts of relationships, and they're all different, and I'm very open-minded. I kinda just leave it at that."

"There is a time and place to talk about your sexuality, and I feel like I'm in a position in my career right now where that can't be the focus of things."

Many gay fans appreciate Stratton's lyrics about being different and feeling isolated, he says.

"You can feel that on all sort of levels," he says. "I think that is the feeling that brings my gay fans to my music. I don't think it is about me personally and my sexuality."

Stratton's vocals sound eerily similar to Tori Amos. He does not mind the comparison. In fact, he is flattered by it and even met Amos several times.

"She has been very supportive of me and given me great advice," he says.

The singer thinks that record companies were reluctant to take on singer/songwriters for a time.

"Singer/songwriters need more time before they take off," Stratton says. "They have to establish a fan base and build themselves from the ground up. A lot of record companies were struggling financially and could not take that type of risk."

Whether audiences catch on to his music or not, Stratton is most definitely one of the first noteworthy artists to debut in 2004.