Fig.4 / Tobin Sprout: S/T + Singles/Unreleased

From deep within someone's archives comes S/T + Singles/Unreleased, a reissue of music by Tobin Sprout's pre-Guided By Voices band Fig.4. Originally released in 1986, S/T shows the influence of its decade: Jangling, R.E.M.-ish guitars dominate the proceedings, and a few tracks find singer/guitarist Sprout trying his best to replicate a Paul Westerberg-esque yowl. Obvious influences aside, S/T is remarkably accomplished for a piece of juvenilia, and considerably more focused than much of the Guided By Voices material from the same period collected on Box. That said, GBV fans will appreciate this very similar-sounding material, which features Robert Pollard on half of its 10 tracks. The fast-paced "Naola" and the album-opening "Way Way Gone" are the standout tracks, but there's nothing really bad in the whole bunch. Even better, however, are the additional five solo tracks recorded between 1994 and 1997: The catchy, mid-tempo "Sadder Than You" is as fine a song as Sprout has recorded, and its companion pieces display the mature, pop-savvy talent and complex if low-fidelity arrangements that have won him admirers both for his work with GBV and for his recent, almost-great solo albums. S/T + Singles/Unreleased is essential for fans, though it's not likely to disappoint anyone with an ear for melodic pop. (Luna, 1521 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260)