High Bias

Former Windbreakers singer/guitarist Tim Lee returned to action last year with the fine Under the House, but, quite frankly, No Discretion blows it out of the water. Superficially, there's little difference; this record is the same mix of roots rock and power pop as House. But the hooks are sharper, the vocals stronger and the energy level noticeably higher than on the last platter. The combination of recording with a working band and with a variety of producers (Mitch Easter, Superdrag drummer Don Coffey, Jr., Fat Possum mainstay Bruce Watson) seems to have invigorated songs like "Keep Me Down," "Speak Up Girl" and the spectacular "Across the Tracks," while softer numbers like "More or Less" and the title track are more winsome than ever. No Discretion is a brilliant piece of work by a veteran finding new depths to his artistry.

Michael Toland