Sobriety Kills, Jason Karaban’s sophomore release following 2006’s Doomed to Make Choices, is an engaging and remarkable record, filled with compelling melodies, prodding lyrics and Karaban’s memorable voice. When tastemakers talk about Jason Karaban, they talk about his songwriting. KCRW’s Chris Douridas, for instance, has characterized Karaban’s new album, Sobriety Kills (due in January from Ascend Records), as “a collection of well-crafted alt-pop songs that give you an unabashed look into this ever evolving singer-songwriter’s world.” WXPN’s Bruce Warren lauded his “terrific songwriting skills,” tossing around adjectives like “catchy” and “dexterous.” And music supervisors looking to place songs in films and on TV have repeatedly turned to Karaban for compelling melodies. “For me, writing songs is like the cat that falls out the window,” he says of his oft-commented-upon songwriting. “It flips and spins and contorts itself all the way down but somehow manages to land on its feet.” The remarkably concise nature of the gems comprising Sobriety Kills – most of which clock in at two minutes and change, can be attributed to Karaban’s impulsive nature. When it came time to record Sobriety Kills, Karaban called on longtime collaborator Barrie Maguire (Amos Lee, The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant) who co-produced/engineered/mixed and played on the record. Ani DiFranco lent her voice in addition to playing multiple instruments on the track “Perfect Falling Out”. Also on hand were MVP David Immerglück (Counting Crows), who lent his prodigious skills on guitar, pedal steel, banjo, mandolin and bass and Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), who co-wrote “Because I Love You” and “Not Afraid to Die.” Creative adaptation is one of the key’s to Karaban’s success. “I’ve always just followed the music wherever it’s taken me,” he confirms. “I’ve never turned my back on it.”