In Brief

*** Chris Whitley, “Terra Incognita,” Work. After delving into ethereal blues on 1991’s “Living With the Law” and indulging his hard-rock jones on 1995’s “Din of Ecstasy,” Whitley shifts his emphasis to pop song craft. Granted, he ain’t Burt Bacharach. But while you won’t be humming ruggedly textured songs such as “Cool Wooden Crosses” and “Weightless” in the shower, their gritty lyricism may provide a few moments of bittersweet pleasure.

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