It’s Friday, and it’s time to comb the record collection for another hidden gem. This week I hope to introduce you to another great artist and another fantastic album.

You may not have heard of Ohio native Griffin House, but thanks to a new commercial (for toothpaste of all things!) it’s likely that you’ve heard Griffin’s music. Rembrandt toothpaste has been using Griffin’s song “Waterfall” in its newest ad campaign, and that makes this as good a time as any to fill you in on another great album - Griffin House’s Lost and Found. Follow the jump and take a listen won’t you?

Released in 2004, Lost and Found is a fine piece of acoustic music. Don’t be scared of that vision of terrible open-mic night guitar guys that haunted you in college with their covers of “Crash Into Me” - you know the one that now provides the mental image you get whenever someone says “acoustic”? While it may not be the most rollicking, upbeat album (save for the Cash-esqe “The Way I Was Made”), it’s a true gem for those who enjoy a simple melody with heartfelt and sincere vocals. There is a reason that “Waterfall” is being used in a commercial over two years after the album’s release. That reason being “Waterfall” is quite possible one of the best unknown love songs to come out in the past decade. The song slowly builds into a swell of emotion and has it’s hooks into you by the time the first chorus comes around, if not the initial bridge. House recently produced a video for the song, which you’ll find below.

“Tell Me A Lie” is yet another example in this world of a great single that could have been. Initially released on House’s independent debut, “Upland”, the song found a new home on Lost and Found and was pushed by House’s label, Nettwork. It tells the story of a soured relationship (don’t they all) and furthers House’s simple song/great lyrics ethos. You’ll notice in the video below that all of the heads in the crowd appear to be of the female variety. Ladies….

Two songs alone does not a great album make though, and House doesn’t disappoint with the rest of the bunch. “Ah Me” is a crowd favorite and is an acoustic House rarity in that its more of a toe-tapper than a sad contemplation piece. The aforementioned “The Way I Was Made” is a personal favorite, and is another example of House’s fine songwriting chops, telling the story of his family - and not boring you, the way your friends do when they do such a thing! But if you are really looking for a tear jerker, you’ll find one in “Why Won’t You Believe?”, as House tells his own story of redemption.

House is mostly accompanied only by himself on this disc, and while the confessional coffeehouse vibe is not for everyone, I can’t encourage you enough to give Griffin a try. He’s the all too rare combination of a great artist and a great person. (go see him when he comes to your town and try not to be won over by the guy if you have the chance to talk to him afterwards) House has lately been touring with a full band, and while it may not have the intimacy of his acoustic solo work, it’s an absolutely great time. His latest album, Homecoming, is available on iTunes and eMusic and is the work of House and his new band. If you enjoy what you’ve heard from Lost and Found, give Homecoming a try too.