Goose — Dancing With Athena 　　 　　Being planted on a barstool in a coffee house corner is no longer a mandate for laidback folk singer John Adams, better known as Goose (www.myspace.com/johngoose); he’s gone electric with the addition of a four-piece backing band and the first album with his new cohort can often be described as just that. The May 30 release of Dancing With Athena is an ideal introduction to the Winston-Salem band, as it takes the listener on a forthright investigation through his predominant influences. Adams über-mellow voice and sunny acoustic strumming instantly brings the likes of surffolkster Jack Johnson to mind, though there are a few moments on the album where he brings his new band’s obvious talents to the forefront. Bass is often an overlooked aspect of acoustically dominated music such as this, but Pocket Grooves bassist Josh Senic’s smooth walking lines stand out from the opening track “Never Let Me Go.” Of course, the consistent focal point is Adams smooth croon and sanguine songwriting, but it doesn’t hurt that he has so much polished accompaniment. Former Daughtry guitarist Jeremy Brady grabs the spotlight on more than one occasion, from his gentle hammer-downs and howling stabs on “Naturally” to the soulful wail on “When They Both Came Down.” It’s easy to get lost in the placid vibe of Dancing With Athena; even when they really try to cut loose, it’s somewhat thwarted by Adam’s blithe vocal timbre; but that only adds to the album’s charm.