___ Orange County Music Awards "Best Indie Rock Band" of 2005 9 Ball, "Upside Down" - One of Orange County's best rock trios has teamed up with producer Joe Ongie to record one of the finest local releases of the year. Singer-guitarist Tim Nienhuis, drummer Danny Gamboa and bassist-singer Dev Torres released a strong demo EP last year, but the newly released, nine-song "Upside Down" displays the full range of 9 Ball's artistry. "Upside Down" features beautiful ballads ("How Do You Dream," "Oxygen"), infectious power-pop (the instantly memorable "Gray" and "Love Find You") and propulsive rockers ("Until Forever") that paint a sonic picture of a group as concerned with their song craft as their chops. "Hard Pressed" is the best Toad the Wet Sprocket song that Glen Phillips never wrote, and Fountain Valley-based 9 Ball could well be a kindred spirit of that Santa Barbara outfit with its formidable mix of rock, pop, folk and alternative styles anchored by thoughtful lyrics and fervent vocals. For more information, visit www.9ballmusic.com. You might like if you enjoy: Toad the Wet Sprocket, Foo Fighters, Elvis Costello, Crowded House courtesy of Robert Kinsler, OC Register OC's nearest things to pop perfection. In the tradition of The Police, 9 Ball deceptively uses the simplicity of the three-piece rock band to deliver well-crafted songs. Frontman/guitarist Tim Nienhuis with his true-tone voice and high-hitting melodies made 9 Ball's solid pop tunes effortless to enjoy. Beautiful chords, the occasional clever time signature, and drummer Danny Gamboa's furious hi-hat work a la Stewart Copeland made the songs shine and made 9 Ball fun. Killarney Star courtesy of Live Magazine 9 Ball's sound has grown into something rooted in pop but with the force of a modern rock band. Think of the sonic outcome of a collaboration between Foo Fighters and DADA. Robert Kinsler courtesy of OC Register