A Star for Bram

British cult star Robyn Hitchcock records a lot of music, much of which never makes it to the finished album. But he’s always had a fond spot for his orphans and several collections — Invisible Hitchcock, You & Oblivion, Mossy Liquor — have been assembled over the years to address the overspill. Hitchcock’s catalog has also been reissued several times with bonus cuts added and subtracted to the point of confusion. It’s as if he can’t make up his mind what makes a keeper. A Star for Bram is a mop-up for 1999’s Jewels for Sophia, Hitchcock’s first electric band album since 1993’s Respect, and his multitude of guests from R.E.M., Grant Lee Buffalo, and Young Fresh Fellows ensured that the sessions were varied and unpredictable. “Antwoman (Dub)” might be Hitchcock overreaching into the world of hip-hop, but “I Saw Nick Drake,” “1974,” “The Philosopher’s Stone,” and “I Used To Love You” (which seems to address Hitchcock’s Syd Barrett influence) are among the Hitchcock essentials, as they perfectly encapsulate his highly melodic and hypnotic appeal. Few artists have outtakes this strong.