POP MUSIC -- If you're a fan of smart, pop-minded male singer-songwriters -- think John Mayer -- then you owe it to yourself to check out Zach Ziskin's new CD, Real as the Memory. No, Ziskin isn't a big name -- at least, not yet -- but the Fort Lauderdale-based artist writes the kind of tuneful yet intelligent songs that are finally starting to get heard on the radio. He claims influences ranging from the Beatles to U2, sings with an innocent urgency and packages it all with a band that's nicely polished. Ziskin, who appeared a few years ago at SunFest with his former group, Passion Seeds, is scheduled to appear locally at Ray's Downtown Blues on Clematis Street in February. In the meantime, however, you can buy the CD (for a mere $10) through his Web site, www.zachziskin.com.

- Charles Passy