Jeremy Enigk

On his fourth solo album, Jeremy Enigk takes songs that, in demo form, would likely reveal him as a geek folkie, yet tries to press them into angular, orchestral shapes. "April Storm" and "Restart" draw the blueprint -- two ace tunes that tart (and art) up strummy jangle pop that's reminiscent of Freedy Johnston, whose voice Enigk's occasionally conjures. That penchant for swollen, cathedral­size arrangements -- particularly on Coldplay­like cuts "Late of Camera" and "In a Look" -- is a weakness, but hopefully, Enigk will learn to shake it off in favor of leaner renditions of his winning, winsome tunes.

By Shannon Zimmerman