Moments after pressing the power button, players are introduced to the standIf constructed during an artist's downtime, side projects should not sound labored. In such ventures, artists should make music that's looser and breaks boundaries they wouldn't dare touch in one of their "full-time job" albums.

That is what makes Loose Fur's self-titled debut so interestiIf constructed during an artist's downtime, side projects should not sound labored. In such ventures, artists should make music that's looser and breaks boundaries they wouldn't dare touch in one of their "full-time job" albums.

That is what makes Loose Fur's self-titled debut so interesting. The band is a collaboration of Jim O'Rourke, producer from Sonic Youth; Jeff Tweedy, singer/songwriter of Wilco; and Glen Kotche, percussion extraordinaire; and it sounds as if they are having fun making music.

Not surprisingly, a lot of it sounds like what it should, as if Wilco and Sonic Youth did a project together. Yet it is never so close that one could say it is over-stepping the boundaries of not being creative.

Loose Fur's first track, "Laminated Cat," is a good example. Tweedy's ironic delivery of the lyrics runs over Kotche's odd drum track and various sound effects. Wilco, at times, is minimalist in its approach, but this is bare compared to any track on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. And bare when compared to Sonic Youth.

The track leads into a jam, an electronic bass and drum free-for-all, that doesn't sound anything like either of the bands. It's here that one can picture Tweedy fingering his electric guitar, big grin on his face, Kotche pounding the crap out of his drums, and O'Rourke hitting every button imaginable on a synthesizer.

Throughout the album, both O'Rourke and Tweedy reveal the skills at which they are best: Tweedy's unimaginable talent as a songwriter and O'Rourke's dream-like production. I would compare it to Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso creating a mural together. While at times compromising and mimicking the artists' styles, it may not be the greatest painting ever, but it sure as hell would be interesting to look at it, and in this case, hear.

--Reviewed by Caleb Sheaffer