Lyrically, this project delves deeply and insightfully into commitment. It does this from a number of perspectives. Michael states that when he writes, it is almost an altered state experience to him, in which he imagines diverse situations and characters. These include the the soldier who promises to lead a group of children to safety, and the young novitiate, both struggling with choices in "The Vow"; the passionate commitment (and love) beginning between two kids coping with a difficult situation in "Diamonds in the Sky"; the couple in "As Sweet as the First" realizing that where dreams don't always come true, perhaps they don't need them to; and the imagined loss of loved ones during the writing of "I Will Remember". "These were often powerful experiences for me", says Michael, "and I am excited to share them thru these songs, in hopes they touch listeners in the way the way they've touched me." Looking back, though unintended he recognizes another key theme running throughout - the often overlooked significance of a moment: "and these connections, so casually made, they mean so much (from "Diamonds"); the moment of committing (in "Vow"); that "balancing on the edge of a knife" and the point "where the story turns" (in "Meant"); the importance of recognizing "your moment" (in "Times"); or the "chance given once" that ends up taken for granted (in "Remember"). Michael believes "these kinds of moments actually determine our lives, but sadly, there are no posted signs to alert us we are in one." "360" is Michael's fifth CD, and marks a return for him, to a variety of roots. It is his only collection available on CD comprised of primarily vocal music. It represents many (and diverse) influences including Elton John, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Dan Fogelberg, Daryl Hall, Tony Bennett, Andrew McMahon, Robert Holmes, Josh Groban, John Legend, and Justin Timberlake, likely among many others. The genres on "360" are equally diverse, ranging from the rock of "Under Glass" and "Diamonds in the Sky"; to the pop of "This is the Time of Our Life" and "Meant For Me"; to the jazz-influenced "As Sweet as the First" and "The Road Less Traveled"; to the folk of "Love You for Forever". Give it a listen.