Alchemy

Ex-Television guitarist Richard Lloyd's first album came out a year after the band's final 1970s release. This platter contains a fine batch of earnest, solid, unpretentious songs that exhibit a 1960s sensibility and tunefulness. Arrangements and performances here are unaffectedly prosaic, in contrast to the arty fullness seen in the music of Lloyd's prior band. As a solo artist, Lloyd shows himself to be a tasteful, imaginative lead guitarist and a capable, if unspectacular crooner ("Woman's Ways" proves that soaring, full-throated singing is not his forte). Touches of country-pop can be seen in the backing vocals to the chorus of "Misty Eyes." "Number Nine" is an energetic, rocking selection that is jumpier than its neighbors. And "Should Have Known Better" is a winsome, ringing, Byrds-influenced pop song. The production is generally good, though certain numbers (most notably "Blue and Grey") have the vocals mixed a bit too low.