*** Jason Falkner

JASON FALKNER PRESENTS AUTHOR UNKNOWN

(Elektra)

On his debut solo effort, Jason Falkner succeeds where Ride fell short on Tarantula, presenting us with intricate pop melodies that draw on his history with Jellyfish and the Grays. Psychedelic touches comment on Squeeze-like tunes, Falkner moving easily from rock ("Miracle Medicine") to retooled power pop ("Hectified" and "I Live"). Although his songs can be as wholesome as Weezer and as quirky as the Tragically Hip, Falkner's playful variations are always original. "Don't Show Me Heaven" qualifies a simple arrangement with ominous bass lines and airy embellishments. The urgent orchestral sounds that end "She Goes to Bed" fade into the lone, hypnotic guitar of ". . . Nobody Knows." Falkner, who's responsible for every note on the album, sounds fresh even when he's harmonizing like the Beach Boys on "Follow Me" -- because he does so to the Knack's guitar licks. Derivative, yes, but indiscriminately so. Jason Falkner Presents presses everyone into service, from the Beatles to Joe Jackson.

-- Craig Thorn

(Jason Falkner opens for Suzanne Vega at the Berklee Performance Center this Sunday, October 27.)