Zygote
John Popper clearly wanted to have a little fun on his solo debut, but he also wanted to get personal. From the Memphis blues groove andBeefheartgrowl of the opening "Miserable Bastard" to the countrified boogie of "Evil in My Chair" and the closing epic "Fledgling," Popper takes us beyondBlues Traveler's blues/pop hybrid and shows some swamp, some soul, and some vulnerability. Sure, there are staple barnburners here, butZygoteis sprinkled with slower, mostly accomplished and affecting ballads such as "Once You Wake Up," "Home," and the folky, romantic "Love for Free."  A couple of other slower ones ("How About Now" and the plodding "Lunatic") don't work quite as well, but Popper's charisma and charm enhance his soft side, and the guitar work of Crugie Riccio, soaring at times intoGilmourandGarciaterritory, elevates even these numbers.--John Sutton-Smith