Trinket Trinket RCA Records

"I won't apologize that I can't be defined," sings Brian Youmans, lead singer of Trinket. And definition is certainly hard coming. The band successfully crosses the line between classic rock, modern alternative and accessible punk music. This self-titled new album's engaging guitar-driven music insulates and highlights some well-written and insightful lyrics.

Upon their debut in 1993 with the album Your Head is a Shimmer, produced by better known fellow Athens, Ga. resident Michael Stipe, Trinket became a touring staple at small venues in the southeast. They have evolved since then, producing a very accessible rock sound that eventually drew the attention of the executives at their current label, RCA. The result is a finished sound and inoffensively fascinating lyrics. The steady beat always drives forward, and Youmans' vocals, although not extraordinary in quality, are uniformly strong. Trinket is a band that could be on its way to something big-catch them now, while the chords are pleasing but the big label sanitization hasn't quite set in. There's no lack of talent or ambition here-as Youmans notes in this album, "You know I'm destined to be a star." And this album is a noteworthy and perhaps prophetic first step.