*** Joe Henry

FUSE

(Mammoth)

Joe Henry is best known to scene makers as Madonna's brother-in-law -- which shouldn't be held against him. He's a quirky, world-weary singer and a songwriter with a flair for appealingly disjointed lyrics and powerful if slightly dissonant melodies. Fuse boasts a stellar line-up of hired hands including Daniel Lanois, Jakob Dylan, and Wallflowers Rami Jaffee and Greg Richling, all of whom add their own expert atmospheric touches to his rueful pop miniatures. Henry is a compelling vocalist, sounding at times a bit like Phil Collins on belladonna -- the presentation may be smooth, but there's an unsettling edge to his voice that gives his soulful crooning a sinful taint. There are bits of the blues, '60s spy-movie soundtracks, hip-hoppy modern rock, jazzy trumpet noodling, classy Tin Pan Alley piano, and even jovial late-night lounge music here. But Henry puts a stamp on each genre excursion that brings to mind a mutant marriage of Hoagy Carmichael, Jack Kerouac, and Tom Waits.

-- J. Poet