With a different track list than his 2002 album of the same name, 2008's VALENTINE finds contemporary instrumentalist Jim Brickman in his most lush, smooth, and pop-oriented mode. Brickman's piano playing resembles the atmospheric melodicism of George Winston (at times it veers into the radio-ready sound of mainstream pop balladry), and his performances make VALENTINE gleam. Most of the VALENTINE consists of Brickman's unadorned solo piano pieces, but there are a few vocal tracks, such as "To Hear You Say You Love Me" and "Love of My Life," sprinkled throughout. The vocals cuts are love ballads, and provide a nice balance to the pretty, soothing instrumentals.