The bridge from the stage to the studio is tough for some virtuosos to traverse. On "Colorblind," his second album, pedal steel guitar specialist Robert Randolph [ tickets ] doesn't even try. Instead, he goes for a studio work that highlights his evolving songwriting skills.

On stage, Randolph and his group are ferocious, rising and falling through peaks and valleys of small sonic miracles. On disc, however, Randolph's sound is neither that powerful nor unique. Rather, it's a sound that's an amalgam of Lenny Kravitz glam, Red Hot Chili Peppers funk and good old-fashioned R&B.

The album varies in quality from truly impressive--openers "Ain't Nothin' Wrong With That" and "Deliver Me" provide a double shot of raucous guitar work and heady funk rhythms that would send Flea into a tailspin--to tracks like "Blessed," with its gospel choir and goody-two-shoes refrain, and "Thankful and Thoughtful," yet another bland, bluesy tribute to the Lord, that weigh down the disc's back end.

Still, "Colorblind" benefits from some A-list cameos, including Eric Clapton on a cover of The Byrds' "Jesus Is Just Alright," and Dave Matthews on the smooth-jazz pop of "Love Is the Only Way." These tracks, plus a few others, are vivid and tight--just like a Robert Randolph concert.

Can Randolph play the heck out of his instrument? Sure. Can he deliver an album's worth of rock that captures that passion and power? Not yet. With "Colorblind," Randolph and company are on their way to building that bridge--only, they haven't quite gotten to the other side yet.