Coming from Northern Virginia, rock band Cobbler is changing the face of American rock music.

Recent Radford University graduate Jamison Forkenbrock plays lead guitar in the band, which recently released its first record, “Stars Caught Fire.”

Other members of Cobbler include Josh Peterson on guitar and vocals, Chris Goodin on bass guitar and Mike Lucente on drums.

Cobbler is a fresh, newly formed band that strikes the listener with a deep intellectual appeal that is missing from the current mainstream rock scene.

For only being on scene for roughly a year, Cobbler has already played more than 20 shows in D.C., New York and Philadelphia.

The band’s debut, “Stars Caught Fire,” delivers seven promising songs that, according to its members, act as a “soulful and endearing sonic assault that leaves a resonation within the listener.”

The first track, “Tragedy,” is immaculately crisp. Peterson soulfully sings, “Your mind is a beautiful thing. Don’t let it slip away. Your life is a tragedy,” as fingers somberly dance over guitar strings.

When you listen to Cobbler’s music, you leave with something that you didn’t have when you first pressed play, a sense of gain — as if you yourself entered the song.

The next track is entitled “Push” and isn’t as downbeat as the CD’s opening track but still leaves the listener with a sense of longing — a deep yearning for satisfaction, only to receive frustration.

“Should Have Known” follows “Push.” The rhythm is more upbeat — it’s a faster, more energizing song than its predecessors.

Forkenbrock leaves a lasting impression on his audience with keyed-up riffs while Lucente’s drum is steady and driving us forward as Peterson sings us home.

Track four, “Prove Me Wrong,” is to be, put frankly, THE JAM. This song is destined for radio play, and why it isn’t already being heard by the masses is something I can’t comprehend.

The chorus seems to foretell the future for this promising band, “Wait ’til you see us, wait ’til you hear us on the radio, on your stereo.”

I for one can’t wait ’til I hear this modern rock masterpiece blared on stations around the country. Forkenbrock’s solo at 1:38 sizzles, forcing me to play air guitar and wince as if it’s taking effort to strum make-believe strings.

As we cross the halfway mark, “Nothing Left” enters with more deeply layered rhythm. The subject matter of Cobbler’s work is centered on relationships, heartache and frustration. The true essence of Cobbler, however, rings an optimistic persona musically and lyrically, creating a dynamic energy.

Track six provides a potential acoustic ballad in “Jennifer.” This is probably my second favorite track on the record, and is completely genuine and heartfelt.

“Stars Caught Fire” ends with “Never Let You Down,” which is also another personal favorite.

“Never Let You Down” lives up to its title, giving the listener a solid track to leave on. It’s one of the most upbeat songs on the record, and also sounds predestined for radio play.

Adam Frazier is a senior at Radford University, where he’s studying journalism and admits that he never wears pants.