**1/2 World Party

EGYPTOLOGY

(The Enclave)

Ex-Waterboy Karl Wallinger's Lennon-esque tendencies shone on 1991's Goodbye Jumbo, an album of tight melodies stretched over loose, mysterious mood swings. Much of the same turns up on Egyptology, though now Wallinger's roster of classic influences has grown to include Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, and blues-era Clapton. The psychedelic "Vanity Fair" is a Doors tribute, "She's the One" invokes Queen, and the trippy "Strange Groove" brings to mind the Animals. But like Lenny Kravitz, another performer who wears his influences on his sleeve, Wallinger is redeemed by his obvious talents as a songwriter and arranger. Although Egyptology comes out of Wallinger's studied knowledge of the pop past, it finds him moving forward with World Party.

-- Jonathan Vena