***1/2 Tonio K.

OLÉ

(Gadfly)

Tonio K. began his career as a smart, angry guy on a rampage in the late '70s; currently he writes hits for Vanessa Williams and Wynonna Judd. In between he made a string of solo albums that fell through the cracks, largely because his original fans were put off by a developing Christian slant in his writing, and because he was still too sharp and cynical for the Christian mainstream.

This album, originally rejected by A&M in 1989 and just acquired by the rabid Tonio K. fans at Gadfly (who have also reissued his catalogue), is easily his best since the heathen days. Producer T-Bone Burnett brings in his usual studio crew (with guests Paul Westerberg, a couple of Lobos, and organist Booker T. Jones); and the album's acoustic base doesn't keep them from rocking out -- K. even sings a few tracks, including the self-explanatory "Pardon Me for Living," in his old clenched-teeth style. Long-time fans will be relieved that there aren't any explicit Christian references; yet his writing does show a more righteous humanism. "Hey Lady," which addresses child abuse, is a close cousin to Elvis Costello's "Little Palaces" in topic, arrangement, and tone. The same anger appears in both songs, but K.'s take is ultimately more forgiving and less smug.

-- Brett Milano