On his first overtly political record, singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik [ tickets ] wants listeners to get angry and share in his pain. Unfortunately, he accomplishes that mission.

Longtime fans are likely to get angry listening to this painfully mediocre and contrived album, which ranks as a true low point in the 36-year-old artist's career.

Let's qualify that criticism: It's a little bit easier to take rants and raves about the current world situation from a man who is actively involved in trying to change it. Over the years, Sheik has performed in countless benefits for hurricane relief, women's issues, political causes and the homeless. None of that, however, gives Sheik license to make an album as tirelessly preachy and undeniably awkward as "White Limousine."

The first single from the album is the title track, which surely won't take Sheik back to the heights of the pop mega-hit "Barely Breathing." Still, it's a very representative slice of the work, one that illustrates how making a point--in this case about the danger of valuing material possessions--gets in the way of sound songcraft. The lyrics are laughable, which certainly wasn't Sheik's intention.

"I guess they think it's what we want / A smooth and easy ride / Constellations of ceiling lights / Hennessey and Naugahyde / America, America, this is our reward / Everything is boring / And everyone is bored"

Consumer culture is a central theme addressed on "White Limousine." Sheik continues to launch all-too-obvious barbs at our true national pastime on such songs as "Fantastic Toys and Corduroys" and "Shopping."

If Sheik believes consumers are buying too much, he also provides us with the perfect opportunity with "White Limousine" to start cutting back on our purchases. That would be an example of life imitating art that this falling pop star certainly wouldn't like.