Saints' guitarist's solo years, 1990-2000, on three CDs

When singer Chris Bailey took over punk pioneers The Saints in 1978, bandmate Ed Kuepper returned to Australia and relative obscurity. Coming soon after a revelatory compilation of Kuepper's second band, Laughing Clowns, this completes the story of his diverse, profilic career. Only on live tracks, and one from his exasperated The Aints project, do his punk roots show. There's some near-AOR, but also sounds ranging from Aboriginal Australian to Air-like synth glides. After the Bailey Saints' resurgence last year, it's a shame those bridges are burned.

*** 3 (of 5) stars

Nick Hasted