Despite this unevenness, there's a lot to recommend: the melancholy, classical-flavored acoustic guitar of "Hymn for 84," the ominous, otherworldly keyboard work of "The Second Coming," the airy synths, wispy guitars, and dreamy vocals of "Moroccan Sand," the churning, brooding atmosphere of "Digital Animal Suite," a nightmarish ode to the Route 128 technology strip. Even on a more commercial track like the guitar-driven "The Seed Has Been Sown," Alger's songwriting shines, with cleverly placed yet subtle tempo changes and rhythmic shifts that maintain a nice flow without pretentious musical flourishes. (Order from Raptor Records at Box 424, Billerica 01821.)

-- Bryan Reesman