In the past Fred Thomas might have been a part-time Portlander, but the man has always been a full-time popsmith. No matter his locale (Detroit, Brooklyn, right down the block) or project name (Lovesick, Saturday Looks Good to Me, City Center), Thomas' work has been plentiful and prolific, an introspective sound that effortlessly blooms and wilts along with its author's dour voice. The remnants of pop music have been picked over, but Thomas has always managed to find fresh ways of revisiting familiar sounds, from the melodic (and sorely underappreciated) Saturday Looks Good to Me, to Night Times, his most recent reflective solo recording to date. EZRA ACE CARAEFF