** Nina Gordon, “Tonight and the Rest of My Life,” Warner Bros.

While Louise Post kept the Chicago band Veruca Salt’s name and alt-rock edge, her former partner aspires to the melodic mystique of Aimee Mann and Sarah McLachlan in her solo debut (in stores Tuesday). She lacks their lyrical flair, and though she surprises with previously unrevealed pop vocal talents, the oddly ‘80s-retro backing (a la the Bangles’ slickest material or Katrina & the Waves’ bouncy froth) renders her rather anonymous.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.