Tonight & The Rest of My Life
Veruca Saltwere  a band torn between catchy pop hooks and arena rock dreams. Producer Bob Rock  (Metallica,Motley Crüe) tried to  help them realize the "big" sound with mixed success. Now, he's helping former  Veruca Salt singer-guitarist Nina Gordon turn away from "big rock" and toward  the lush power pop championed by musicians likeAimee Mann. The title track, "Now I Can Die," and "2003"  feature stacked harmonies and a carefree gait that recall the melodic  renaissance of early-'80s new wave, with the additional bite of modern-day  production values. Hammond B-3s, pedal steels, Mellotrons, and Chamberlins add  somber texture to "Horses in the City" and "Hold On to Me" without sacrificing  the straight-ahead rock feel. Producer Rock adds a bit too much gloss here and  there, but in any case Gordon's a power-pop diva in waiting.--Rob  O'Connor