by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Edwyn Collins made a remarkable and unexpected comeback with Gorgeous George, and it's not hard to see why. The album represents a consolidation of Collins' skills as a songwriter, demonstrating both his vicious wit and his effortless melodicism. Working with former Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and bassist Claire Kenny, he develops the hardest-hitting musical attack of his career, but it's also surprisingly versatile, capable not only of glam rock, but also jangle pop, folk-rock and blue-eyed soul. And while Collins can occasionally be accused of lyrical sniping -- the attack on Guns N' Roses in &North of Heaven& is simply silly -- there's no denying that when his words and music hit the same target, such as on the darkly catchy Iggy Pop tribute &A Girl Like You,& the results are wonderfully cerebral pop music.