To borrow a term from the movies, Lagartija is a "small" album, a solo record by a member of a band that has yet to land a contract with a major label. Its production is strictly no frills, and the arrangements seldom venture beyond guitar, bass and drums.

Walter Salas-Humara, whose main job is singing, playing guitar and writing songs for the Silos, likes to focus on private moments and emotions. So Lagartija includes songs about waiting to hear a lover's approach in the hall ("About Her Steps"), seeing your girlfriend in every woman you meet ("You Look Like Sheila") and the feelings that can be aroused by a visit back to your home town ("Two Voices").

Nonetheless, the album is a sizable achievement. The commonness of the feelings Salas-Humaras describes deepens their resonance, and his ability to rock, as on "Carol" and "Promises," lends credibility to his delicacy on other songs. Kelly Lafferty's pretty harmony and backup vocals adorn Salas-Humara's rough drawl and add appealing texture to the otherwise spare sound.

Lagartija is the Spanish word for "small lizard," and it was also the childhood nickname given to Salas-Humara by his mother, because of his thinness. As an adult, Salas-Humara is still skinny, but his talent and feeling hold plenty of weight. (RS 535)

ANTHONY DECURTID