Lloyd is also an adept songwriter, and his solo records -- despite focusing on pop moves rather than guitar gymnastics -- have all been well received critically. Alchemy, released on the heels of Television's demise, is a surprisingly light take on new wave guitar-pop: sort of a cross between the Cars and Talking Heads -- full of awesome guitar solos in which Lloyd plays with a Neil Young-like spikiness -- but ordered and deliberate. Then things start to explode.
The Cover Doesn't Matter, Lloyd's most recent record, came out in 2001. Since then, he has participated in a Television reunion, but folks looking for "Little Johnny Jewel" aren't gonna hear it at this gig. Lloyd's solo material fits a lot more snugly with Matthew Sweet's power-pop -- which shouldn't scare anyone off. The guy can really play, and he does so about halfway through every song.
