Drawing his stage name from a French symbolist poet, Thomas Joseph Miller earned rock immortality as Tom Verlaine by founding punk progenitors Television in New York City. When that group split following its second album, its frontman remained with Elektra Records for his 1979 solo debut. Unsurprisingly, TOM VERLAINE bears strong resemblance to the performer’s previous band; several of its songs were Television-era compositions, and the group’s Fred Smith plays bass here. As before, there are plenty of inspired guitar solos, but with its ’60s classic rock influences (“Grip of Love”) and quirky tangents (“Yonki Time”), the collection has its own identity. Any alternative music fan should acquaint themselves with TOM VERLAINE.
