Hit or Miss

Rhett Miller

The Instigator

Elektra

4/5

In The Instigator, Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller glimpses at a personal underworld of emotion where things happen but nobody really sees them. Miller's talent for memorable songs has helped him achieve a rare balance between fun poppy lightness and love-struck earnestness.

Miller with the help of producer and friend Jon Brion (who has worked with Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann) sets an outstanding and plaintive collection of wordplay within flawless melodies delivered with infectious energy. Interestingly enough, Miller seems able to render himself vulnerable only around the lively playfulness of the album.

The had-edged, playful tracks "This is What I Do" and "Four-Eyed Girl" mask the pensive and melancholic yearn of the album's standout tracks, DeLillo- inspired "World Inside the World" and "Come Around," in which he ponders on whether he "[will be] lonely for the rest of [his] life." Rhett Miller's The Instigator arrives as a wholly personal statement of candor, yearning, and direct reflection. _ Ricardo Maldonado



Sugarcult

Start Static

Ultimatum

4/5

Sugarcult has an aptly fitting band name, especially after the release of their latest effort, Start Static. I swear, certain tracks provide a better sugar buzz than a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

And although in "Stuck in America" the group continually insists that "today I changed," the basic formula for their pop-punk songs does not. "Bouncing Off the Walls" shows the most radio-friendly promise, with a contagious beat that will embed itself in your brain and will undoubtedly cause uncontrollable humming or whistling. It's infectious... in a good way.

Towards the end of the album Tim Pagnotta, the enthusiastic lead vocalist, even allows raw emotion to corrupt his smooth voice and it's certainly a refreshing change. The album progresses nicely, from basic pop to more passionate, indie rock near the end _ it's a natural maturation. The last, untitled track is a dramatic change of pace, with unexpected Dave Matthews Band influence intermingled with the group's short instrumental intro. Overall, the album is a solid effort, and definitely worth the investment... I, for one, am hooked. _ Michelle Foody



Wilco

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Nonesuch

4.5/5

Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot subverts and reinvents today's cluttered genre of pop-rock as we know it. It wanders to its edge, and then cartwheels into a fuzzy nether region. Straying from its alt-country roots, the inventive band has recorded a beautifully eclectic album of cheerful pop and somber, cryptic tunes. "War on War" is a traditional '60s pop tune that incorporates distinct electronica elements.

From the upbeat and cheerful "Kamera" to the somber and dark "Poor Places," the album is diverse enough to appeal to many musical tastes. The lyrics are often vivid, nonsensical compositions from the imagination of lead singer Jeff Tweedy. In "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," Tweedy sings of "tongue-tied lightning" and "bible black predawn." Traditional guitar-drum arrangements are frequently complimented by beeps and other nontraditional sounds that lend a curious charm to the album. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a welcome breath of fresh air.

_ Milady Ortiz