Redhead
It probably didn't take Bleu brainchild James McAuley III too much effort to entice reclusiveJellyfishfrontman Andy Sturmer out of hiding to co-write and sing backup on "Could Be Worse," so potent are the hooks and cascading harmonies on his second full-length album. WithSemisonic's Dan Wilson joining the Boston rocker on "Something's Gotta Give," Redhead is an all around power-pop treat with enthusiastic nods to AM radio mainstays likeBadfingerandSupertramp, and warm, playful songs like "I Won't Go Hollywood" and "Could Be Worse." "Something Else," which also appears on theSpider Mansoundtrack, is an obvious high point, but so is the surging ballad "We'll Do It All Again" and the hidden track "Dance Dance Baby Doll Dance."--Aidin Vaziri