If there is such a thing as the perfect hard-rock voice, Lou Gramm has it. Strong and supple, his voice is versatile enough to manage everything from bell-like purity to sinew-straining passion, muscular enough to handle even the highest notes at full power.

It's a voice that begs to be shown off, and Gramm rarely disappoints. Listen to the way he paces himself through "Angel With a Dirty Face,"...

It's hard to know what motivates someone like Lou Gramm to make a solo record. In this instance, both the crasser and the more high-minded impulses can probably be dismissed. As lead singer and one of the main songwriters of Foreigner, Gramm must have garnered as much money and ego gratification as he could ever want. Self-expression can probably be discounted as well, because most of the songs on...