Fourth album from Mr. Sweet and the follow-up to his amazing Girlfriend album of 1991. On Altered Beast, he tries to recapture the feel of Girlfriend by keeping guitarists Robert Quine (formerly with Lou Reed) and Richard Lloyd (Television) by his side. Although some of these songs are as good as, say, "Divine Intervention," the difference is in the production mix. This CD misses Fred MakerÕs ability to move the guitar or vocal up front to accentuate a particular lyric or lick. Here it all seems a bit muddy and confused. Also gone is the obvious Neil Young reference of Girlfriend. WeÕre left with these songs and a lyric sheet necessary to understand whatÕs going on. I think the theme is somewhere between "angry breakup" and "it's tough being a famous rocker." (Bill Burton)