Set

This set of 12 R&B covers has the alternate title of Loose Shoes and Tight Pussy in Europe, which says something about the contrary nature of Alex Chilton. Fans of his seminal work in Big Star wait impatiently for a return to his beautiful pop masterpieces, while Chilton keeps doing whatever he wants, whenever. But no one can argue with his genuine love of the Southern R&B of his youth. Set is a live-in-the-studio, one-night, one-take affair and is all the better for it. Rough around the edges, it comes off not as sloppy, but as playfully inspired. Backed only by bass and drums, Chilton plays a reluctant guitar hero, finding brilliant ways to emulate the fuller arrangements found in the original versions of these songs. His singing on "Oogum Boogum," "Single Again," and "You's a Viper" show him having a great time with this stuff, loose and relaxed. This is the most consistent and fun record he's done in years. Fans waiting for another record like Big Star's Third might be disappointed by the lack of originals, but there's plenty of hints as to what inspired him then and continues to today. Chilton claims this to be his best record yet, and in the spirit of the man, who should he be trying to please, himself or you? --Steve Turner