The classic experience of blowing out a tire on a desolate highway and being stranded for hours is not necessarily a bad thing. It is the inspiration for Brainard and Russell’s new CD “Red Rock Canyon”. These tracks still combine California comfort and Brit pop sense, but carry much more of an edge than their previous CD “Life in Java” from 2005. Their strong lyric ability always carries a mixed bag of life’s happenings, spiritual reflection, and off beat humor. Mark Brainard and Tim Russell are homegrown San Fernando Valley guys, who have performed together since 1981 along with keyboardist Denis Feehan and have played hundreds of gigs in the Los Angeles area. Their shining acoustics and crisp harmonies cut through at intimate coffee house settings, but they have also rocked it up with the full band playing at night clubs, college festivals, and charity events from football fields to public parks.