When Dave Matthews Band released its major label debut in 1994, it created a previously unheard acoustic rock sound, with saxophone and violins wrapping melodies around unconventional percussion and guitar lines.

Continuing that tradition, Mer’s latest release, “Familiar Ground,” is a bit of Dave Matthews with some refreshing twists.

While Mer has a sax player, it opted for a keyboardist rather than a violinist. A. J. Robb adds a wonderful complement to Edmer Abante’s guitar and singing. Robb’s fluid lines give Mer a Steely Dan tinge that separates the band from other Dave Matthews imitators.

Most of the tracks are very upbeat with optimism ringing through, straight from the Dave Matthews Band school of good time music.

The opening track, “Tina Lynn,” has the feel of DMB’s “Drive In Drive Out.” The song sets the pace for an album full of extended sax jams and keyboard solos.

Dan Anderson’s sax playing makes the album exciting. It seems he never really knows what he’s going to play until he plays it, giving Mer an improvisational quality not found often in today’s music.

“So Much More” leaves the Dave Matthews mold and has a flamenco feel to it with a classic spanish guitar intro.

“Familiar Places” is reminiscent of an island song in the style of Jimmy Buffet, complete with a crashing wave in the beginning.

Abante’s lyrics are much simpler than Dave Matthews’, but they convey the emotions just as well and, at times, even better than Dave. However, Abante doesn’t possess the clever insights Matthews has.

The only track that seems out of place is “Mold.” It seems Mer tried something a bit avant-garde, but it seems to have tried too hard and lost its identity for a moment.

Mer ends the album with “Home,” a jazzy number Abante does by himself. It is a nice change of pace and leaves a good impression for the CD as a whole.