*** 1/2 JOHN DOE “Meet John Doe” <i> DGC</i> : <i> Albums are rated from one star (poor) to five stars (a classic). </i>

A committed X fan listening to Doe’s first solo album might wonder where all the irony went. But only the most jaundiced listener could thirst for irony when confronted with music as open-hearted and affecting as this.

Doe quickly makes it clear that this isn’t the place to look for X’s catty, state-of-the-world observations (“I don’t say much more than a man in a bar shooting his mouth off,” he demurs in “A Matter of Degrees”). Instead, we get a cycle of love songs that ring true as Doe probes the yearnings, failings and, ultimately, the constancy of a romantic heart.

Doe’s voice strains a bit when he aims for Orbisonian grandeur, but it’s a creditable attempt nonetheless. Give Doe special credit for putting together a backing band that sounds both hungry and masterful (former Television guitar ace Richard Lloyd is the highest-profile name). They’re withering on the rockers, sensitive on the ballads and stately and sweeping on forays into cinematic country music--all of which makes it a real pleasure to meet John Doe anew.