Spinoff albums are one of tock's necessary evils. Usually the product of overweening hubris and indulgent pop star wealth i.e., member of a big name band desires to "express" himself and spares no expense to do so–they're rarely much more than massive ego massages.

But all that glitters isn't gall. The best solo LPs by members of working groups reveal: (a) what the artist brings to the band in...