Glen Phillips

Since he was the longtime leader of Toad the West Sprocket, it shouldn't come as a surprise that singer/guitarist Glen Phillips' 2006 solo outing Mr. Lemons doesn't sound too far off from his former band. On his fourth solo release overall, Phillips opted to focus on stripped-down arrangements, perhaps influenced by the way he usually plays live shows -- all by himself. Additionally, unusual recording methods were utilized. Instead of following the same method as the majority of modern-day rock artists (laying down the rhythm track first, then overdubbing the rest of the instrumentation), Phillips opted to begin with either solo vocal/guitar, or playing live (including vocals) with a full band. But again, the end result is not that remarkably different than Phillips' output with his former band. And it's certainly not a bad thing, as longtime Toad fans should enjoy the laid-back album opener, "Everything But You," as well as such one-man fare as "Last Sunset," and a barely unrecognizable cover of Huey Lewis & the News' "I Want a New Drug." Toad the Wet Sprocket may be gone, but Phillips keeps the group's "mature alt-pop" flame alive with Mr. Lemons. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi