*** P.J. Olsson

(Red Ink)

Acerbic but romantic, hostile but vulnerable, brainy but brutish, hi-tech but folky, P.J. Olsson delivers the kind of literate, ironic songwriting we've come to expect from the urbane-songsmith crowd. But his debut album's sterling production also exhibits loop-based post-hip-hop motifs, heartland rock-guitar gestures, and weirdo, Latin Playboys-esque lo-fi moments. The revivalist spirit of "Pray I Don't Die" suggests a grounding in ol'-timy music; the acoustic intrigue "Plastic Soul" pays homage to Zeppelin III and the kind of three-part harmonies Kings X played with so effortlessly. But left turns abound: tinny drumming, sudden shifts into Crosby Stills & Nash soft-focus harmony, gritty Dylanesque delivery, gutbucket funk flayed with Nick Drake hushes. Defiantly musical, stylistically in touch, and admirably smart, Olsson's debut is among the finest examples of the new millennial pop: he's a swarthier Beck with a sweeter voice and a flask of classic rock in his pocket.

-- James Rotondi