Peter Case: Beeline

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Case's occasional albums since his alarmingly good self-titled solo outing of 1986 have been patchy affairs, although anyone who likes his raggedy, allusive singer-songwriter style can always prise out the diamonds from the coal.

The good news for the patient and newcomers alike is that this oddly psychedelic outing (backwards guitars, tamboura, electronica) boasts some superb songs (the soulful, Paul Westerberg-like acoustic strut of Manana Champeen is a standout), and has the same angular and emotionally disconcerting effect as his best work.

He still sounds acoustic-backporch and honestly lo-fi, and there's a darkness and desperation in some of what's here (Evening Raga, It's Cold Inside). But he also includes an eloquently simple love song (I Hear Your Voice), hits the "funky roots-rock" button a couple of times (Lost in the Sky, Something's Coming), and can still sound like a Lennon-from-Dixie. A real grower.

Label: Vanguard